Media Release
Basel, 18 April 2005 1
Coagulation
Self-Management
with Roche’s CoaguChek S System can save lives
Study shows that
CoaguChek S diagnostics
system substantially reduces bleeding complications and mortality rate after mechanical heart valve
replacement
Patient self management with the CoaguChek S system from
Roche Diagnostics reduces the risk of major complications and minor hemorrhages by up 70% and the event
of mortality by up to 60%. This was demonstrated by a new study comparing self-management of oral anticoagulant
therapy with clinic management
“CoaguChek
S system can help to give
patients independence and – even more significant – safety and peace of mind, in short, real improvement
quality of life” said Heino von Prondzynski, CEO Division Roche Diagnostics and Member of Roche’s Corporate
Executive Committee. “Additionally, patient self management is cost-effective and demonstrates that
modern diagnostics may reduce the cost of the healthcare system. The authors of the ACOA study estimate
that at least 50% of patients on anticoagulant therapy could safely use patient self-management to monitor
their treatment.”
Oral anticoagulation is well established in many fields
of medicine including secondary prevention of cardiovascular thromboembolic events. It is important
to monitor the therapeutic effect and to keep possible risks at the lowest possible level. Scheduling
the dose of anticoagulants in an optimal way can reduce the incidence of bleeding complications without
increasing thromboembolic events. Self testing with the CoaguChek S system gives patients information
about their level of anticoagulation and allows them to adjust the doses of medication if necessary.
About the ACOA study
ACOA was a randomized, controlled trial involving
737 patients with indications for anticoagulant treatment. It compared a conventional management group
for oral anticoagulant therapy with a self-management group. The study demonstrates a risk-reduction
of nearly 70% for the self-management group concerning major complications. The authors of the study
suggest that the ideal way to provide access to self-management for as many patients as possible would
be patient self-management supported by a specialized clinic. The major complication rate was 7.3% in
the conventional management group and 2.2% in the self-management group, which corresponds to a risk
reduction of 69.8%. Minor hemorrhages also occurred less frequently (36.4% vs. 14.9%) and there was
a mortality reduction of 60% (4.1% vs. 1.6%).
About CoaguChek
S
The
portable CoaguChek S System quantitatively determines the thromboplastin time on the spot within one
minute using capillary blood from the fingertip or untreated venous whole blood. This means fast information
for patients about their required doses of anticoagulant medication. The immediate availability of results
significantly improves the workflow of healthcare professionals. The simplicity of operation makes it
easy and convenient for patients to monitor and even manage their therapy. Sales of Roche Diagnostic’s
CoaguChek S System in 2004 reached more than 150 million Swiss francs, continuing the double digit annual
growth shown over the past 3 years. For more information: www.coaguchek.com.
The
CoaguChek System is not approved for self testing or self-management in the United States.
About
Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading
research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of
innovative products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease,
the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche
is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and
a market leader in virology. In 2004 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 21.7 billion Swiss
francs, while the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 7.8 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly
65,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners,
including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Additional information about the Roche
Group is available on the Internet (www.roche.com).
All
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
1
(Comparing Self-Management of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy with Clinic Management; Annals of Internal
Medicine. 2005;142:1-10; ACOA study).
Additional information:
- Roche Diagnostics: www.roche-diagnostics.com