Central pulse pressure, the difference between systolic and diastolic bloodpressure in the ascending aorta, was measured noninvasively in the studyusing AtCor Medical's SphygmoCor technology. While central blood pressurehas consistently been shown to be a more powerful predictor ofcardiovascular events than traditional cuff blood pressure measurementstaken at the arm, this study is the first to show a specific thresholdvalue for central pressure, above which risk is significantly increased.No similar threshold was identified for brachial cuff blood pressure. Thisis the most powerful evidence to date related to a specific treatmenttarget for central pressures, which can be managed by vasoactivehypertension drugs as well as, in some cases, lifestyle changes.

Central pulse pressure as a treatment target

Study participants were initially free of cardiovascular disease and werefollowed for a period of 5.5 years. During the course of the study, over340 participants experienced a major cardiovascular event. The studyabstract concluded that central pulse pressure equal to or greater than 50mm of mercury predicts adverse cardiovascular outcomes independent of otherrisk factors for cardiovascular disease. It further stated that thesefindings call for examination of noninvasive central pulse pressure as atreatment target in clinical intervention strategies.

"This is a major development," said Duncan Ross, AtCor Medical's Presidentand CEO. "Many studies have shown that elevated central blood pressure isassociated with increased incidence of heart attack, stroke and kidneydisease. This research identifies a specific central blood pressurethreshold where events sharply increase -- identifying patients at risk whowould not be identified with standard cuff blood pressure measurementstaken at the arm. The data from this study will be vitally important toclinicians in diagnosis and drug therapy management -- and inpharmaceutical trials."

About AtCor Medical

AtCor Medical develops and markets products for the early detection ofcardiovascular risk and management of cardiovascular disease. Itstechnology allows researchers and clinicians to measure central bloodpressure noninvasively. The company's SphygmoCor system visibly identifiesthe effects of reflected blood pressure in the central aortic pressurewave, effects which cannot be detected with standard blood pressuremonitoring. More than 1,700 SphygmoCor systems are currently in useworldwide at major medical centers, research institutions and in variousclinical trials with leading pharmaceutical companies. The company'stechnology has been featured in over 400 peer-reviewed studies published inleading medical journals. AtCor has operations in Australia, the UnitedStates and Europe. For further information, please visit our web site atwww.atcormedical.com.

*Mary J. Roman et al. Central Pulse Pressure 50mmHg Predicts AdverseCardiovascular Outcome: The Strong Heart Study Circulation.2008;118:S_1157

For further information, please contact:Larry WattsAtCor Medical630-228-8875l.watts@atcormedical.com