~ August 29, 2005 ~

On August 26th, 2005 NVS became proud to offer an Internet site for our patients. 

Our web site will continually improve as we gather feedback and make more options available online.

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~June 22, 2005~

EECP News Release

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Initiates Review for Expanded Reimbursement Coverage of Vasomedical's EECP-R- Therapy;

CMS Requests Public Comments as the First Step of the Review Process 

WESTBURY, N.Y., Jun 22, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Vasomedical, Inc. (NASDAQ SC: VASO), a leader in the noninvasive treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases, has been notified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that the application requesting consideration for expansion of the national coverage for EECP(R) therapy has been accepted. The company currently markets the therapy for chronic stable angina and congestive heart failure and has been actively working to expand Medicare reimbursement coverage for less severe angina and to include coverage for congestive heart failure as a primary indication. 

"We are pleased that CMS has accepted our application and begun the process for consideration of the national coverage determination. We will continue our efforts to provide the clinical evidence and support of this noninvasive option for treating cardiovascular diseases," said Thomas Glover, president and chief executive officer of Vasomedical. "Significant benefits of EECP therapy for treating angina and congestive heart failure including improvements in the ability to exercise, reduction in symptoms and improved quality of life have been reported in numerous studies including the most recent PEECH trial results," he added. 

CMS has started a public comment period requesting feedback on the clinical evidence evaluating the health outcomes of ECCP therapy for Class II angina as listed in the request as well as the evidence submitted for EECP therapy for patients with NYHA Class II/III stable heart failure. This public comment period is open until July 20, 2005. A proposed coverage decision memo date is scheduled for December 20, 2005. Additional information is available at the CMS website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewtrackingsheet.asp?id=162 

About EECP(R) Therapy 

EECP(R) external counterpulsation therapy is typically given in 35 one-hour-sessions over seven weeks. Patients lie down on a padded table and their calves, lower thighs and upper thighs are wrapped in a cuff set. The system, which is synchronized to the individual patient's cardiac cycle, inflates the cuffs with air to create external pressure when the heart is resting and deflates the cuffs just before the heart beats. The system's action, which pulses counter to the heart's beating, increases blood flow to the heart muscle and decreases the heart's workload, creating a greater oxygen supply for the heart muscle while lowering the heart's need for oxygen. 

About Vasomedical, Inc. 

Vasomedical, Inc. is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing and supporting EECP(R) external counterpulsation systems based on the Company's proprietary technology. EECP(R) therapy is a noninvasive, outpatient therapy for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system currently indicated for use in cases of angina, cardiogenic shock, acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. The therapy serves to increase circulation in areas of the heart with less than adequate blood supply and may restore systemic vascular function. The Company provides hospitals, clinics and private practices with EECP(R) equipment, treatment guidance and a staff training and maintenance program designed to provide optimal patient outcomes. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.vasomedical.com. 

EECP is a registered trademark for Vasomedical's enhanced external counterpulsation systems. 

Except for historical information contained in this release, the matters discussed are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. When used in this report, words such as "anticipated," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "may," "plans," "potential" and "intends" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company's management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the effect of the dramatic changes taking place in the healthcare environment; the impact of competitive procedures and products and their pricing; medical insurance reimbursement policies; unexpected manufacturing or supplier problems; unforeseen difficulties and delays in product development programs; the actions of regulatory authorities and third-party payers in the United States and overseas; uncertainties about the acceptance of a novel therapeutic modality by the medical community; and the risk factors reported from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments. 

SOURCE: Vasomedical, Inc.

For more information on ECP and other articles, please visit there Web site at http://www.vasomedical.com/

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~June 15, 2005 ~

(Copyright © 2005 Wickenburg Sun. All rights reserved)

article by Art Pulis, Sun Business Advocate

New medical professional joins NVS Medical Clinic

~ January 7, 2004 ~
(Copyright © 2005 Wickenburg Sun. All rights reserved)

                                                                       New clinic offers heart therapy

                                                                                               By Art Pulis, Sun Business Advocate



Dr. Bill Stonecipher, family practitioner and Dolly Branski, medical assistant and certified Enhanced External Counterpulsation technician, have recently teamed up to open a new medical clinic in the Ocotillo Professional Plaza, directly behind Dr. Kirk's dental office, between Screamer's and Charley's Steak House, on West Wickenburg Way. The clinic's vision is for both family practice as well as non-invasive therapy for cardiac patients is innovative, and promises to bring a unique style and type of health care into the Wickenburg area.

The birth of the clinic developed from Dolly's husband Tom's serious coronary condition, and their search for treatment that could improve his health as well as his quality of life. Following several surgical attempts, including two bypass operations, Tom was left with only 20 percent effective use of his heart, and found himself with no energy, total disability, and accompanying depression over his condition. He consulted with cardiologist Dr. Timothy Byrne of Biltmore Cardiology, who also practices through Wickenburg Regional Health Center, and learned about a non-invasive therapy that is based on stimulating the opening or formation of small blood vessels to create natural bypasses around narrowed or blocked arteries. Tom and Dolly moved to Phoenix for two months while Tom had daily therapy sessions, and experienced marked improvement in his coronary health.

Dr. Bill Stonecipher, family practitioner and former chief of staff of Phoenix General Hospital, wanted to open a local family practice with a particular vision of providing affordable health care on a very personal basis, without the normal bureaucracy associated with many other facilities. Dr. Stonecipher has teamed up with the Branskis, and they have developed this clinic with the combined visions of "putting the family back into family practice," as well as non-invasive treatment of serious coronary problems.

During EECP therapy, the patient lies on a bed and pressure cuffs are attached to the calves, lower thighs and upper thighs. The patient's heart rate and rhythm are constantly measured during the process. The cuffs inflate and deflate, gradually building to full pressure while the machine works with the heart's rhythm. According to a recent release from Mayo Clinic, where one of these machines is located, the therapy has been very effective, and has shown good results. "Until recently, there was not much to offer these patients with severe symptoms of heart disease who have exhausted the more standard revascularization options," says Gregory Barsness, M.D., medical director of the EECP program at Mayo Clinic. "So far, we are pleased with the benefits that our patients have experienced."

Locally, Tom Branski's experience with the treatment has been very favorable, which is the reason they decided to bring it to Wickenburg. The procedure lasts for one hour per day, five days per week, for seven weeks. The experience is extremely comfortable, and Tom says that he would often fall asleep during the procedures. "After just a few sessions, I experienced a marked improvement that continued throughout the seven weeks. The amazing thing is that after the end of the procedures, I did not go downhill and, in fact, have continued to improve. For the first time in many years I could climb stairs and exercise, but the most important thing was that my mental health improved since I was no longer feeling sick all the time," says Branski. The treatments are fully approved by the FDA, and are approved for Medicare and most other health plans.

The short-term future of the new clinic is to expand into other specialties while still maintaining the key vision of affordable health care in a small-community family setting. Dr. Richard Kootman, board certified eye physician and surgeon, is joining the clinic, and they have plans to add other specialties that are unavailable in Wickenburg. According to Dolly Branski, "We are determined to provide health care to the greater Wickenburg community in a fashion where we know all of our patients, and work with them to take personal responsibility and control of their health issues. In too many cases, we allow the government or some other bureaucracy to determine our treatment. In this clinic, we will be patient centered rather than insurance centered. While we welcome private insurance plans, we also warmly welcome all Medicare patients as well as people who do not have insurance. With those people, we work out arrangements."

The clinic is holding an open house for the Wickenburg community on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. At the reception, they will be demonstrating the Vasomedical EECP therapy system, as well as answering questions about the treatment. The doctors and staff of the clinic will be available for questions regarding both EECP and family practice, and look forward to visiting with the public.

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Kumar Ravi, MD. F.A.C.C. P.C.

Certifications/Licensure

American Board of Internal Medicine Certification in: 

 Internal Medicine

      Cardiovascular Disease

      Interventional Cardiology (CAQ)

      Licensed States: AZ, CA, NY, NJ, MI and FL.

Current practice locations as consulting cardiologist

Cardiac Care

450 S. Willard St. Suite-115
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634 3025

                                                Phoenix area Hospital Staff Appointments

Experience

Training

Education

Medical School: Bangalore University, Bangalore India, 1988

Undergraduate: Andhra Loyola College, Vijayawada, India, 1978

Professional Affiliations

      Fellow, American College of Cardiology

Publications/Lectures

Original Investigations

Cellular Cardiomyoplasty: First Human case of Cell (Myoblast) Therapy for improvement of myocardial function via the Endoventricular approach. 25^th May 2001, Thorax Center Rotterdam. Live case demonstration at the Paris Course on Revascularization (PCR 2001), Paris

 Brachytherapy: Dosimetry study for Intravascular Radiation in Coronary Artery Disease National Institutes of Health Grant # RO1-HL57923. (1997-2002)

 Angiorad Radiation Therapy for In-Stent Restenosis Intra Coronaries (ARTISTIC) protocol. (Pilot phase completed - 1998).

 Intravascular Radiation Delivery Device to Reduce Restenosis after Angioplasty in Unstented Native Vessels, (Pilot phase completed - 1998)

Stent Implantation Post Rotational Atherectomy Trial (SPORT Clinical trial), 1999. 

Abstracts

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB, TSAO HS. Effect of stent on radiation dosimetry in an in-stent restenosis model.  The American Journal of Cardiology 1999; 84: 10P. 

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB, TSAO HS. Effect of calcium on dose distribution in intravascular brachytherapy.  The American Journal of Cardiology 1999; 84: 3P. 

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL NS, SHIH JA, TSAO HS, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Effect of stent on radiation dosimetry in an in-stent restenosis model.  Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine 1999: 1: 384. 

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL NS, SHIH JA, TSAO HS, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB.. Effect of calcium on dose distribution in intravascular brachytherapy.  Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine 1999: 1: 385. 

Effect of stent on radiation dosimetry in an in-stent restenosis model.

K. Ravi, W. Sherman, P. Fan, S. Chiu-Tsao, L. Harrison. Presented at the August 2000, European Society of Cardiology Scientific Sessions.

 Effect of Calcium on dose distribution in intravascular brachytherapy.

W. Sherman, K. Ravi, P. Fan, S. Chiu-Tsao, L. Harrison. Presented at the August 2000, European Society of Cardiology Scientific Sessions.

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL N, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB, TSAO HS. Yb-169: a promising new isotope for intravascular brachytherapy. Advances in Cardiovascular Radiation Therapy IV Syllabus, 2000, pp. 32. .  Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine 2000: 2: 52-53. 

DUCKWORTH T, PATEL N, CHIU-TSAO S, FAN P, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Verification of near-source dose distribution for ¹²⁵I and ¹⁹²Ir using GAFChromic film. Advances in Cardiovascular Radiation Therapy IV Syllabus, 2000, pp. 29. 

DUCKWORTH T, PATEL N, CHIU-TSAO S, FAN P, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. GAFChromic film measurements of the calcium effect for ¹⁹²Ir and ¹²⁵I sources used for intravascular brachytherapy. Advances in Cardiovascular Radiation Therapy IV Syllabus, 2000, pp. 30. 

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL N, SHIH JA, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, TSAO HS, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Influence of metal-artery ratio on the dose reduction due to stent. Advances in Cardiovascular Radiation Therapy IV Syllabus, 2000, pp. 31. .  Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine 2000: 2: 52.

PATEL N, CHIU-TSAO S, FAN P, AHUNBAY E, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, TSAO HS, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Treatment planning dosimetric parameters for ⁹⁰Y wire source used in intravascular brachytherapy. Advances in Cardiovascular Radiation Therapy IV Syllabus, 2000, pp. 27.  

CHIU-TSAO S, FAN P, DUCKWORTH T, PATEL N, LIPRIE S, SOARES C, TSAO HS, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Dosimetry revisit of an Ir-192 wire source used in intravascular brachytherapy. Advances in Cardiovascular Radiation Therapy IV Syllabus, 2000, pp. 28.  

PATEL N, CHIU-TSAO S, FAN P, AHUNBAY E, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, TSAO HS, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Treatment planning dosimetric parameters for ⁹⁰Y wire source used in intravascular brachytherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology 2000; 55: Suppl. 1, 50. 

DUCKWORTH T, PATEL N, CHIU-TSAO S, FAN P, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. GAFChromic film measurements of the calcium effect for ¹⁹²Ir and ¹²⁵I sources used for intravascular brachytherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology 2000; 55: Suppl. 1, 50-51.

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL N, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB, TSAO HS. Yb-169: a promising new isotope for intravascular brachytherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology 2000; 55: Suppl. 1, 49-50. 

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL N, SHIH JA, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, TSAO HS, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Influence of metal-artery ratio on the dose reduction due to stent. Radiotherapy and Oncology 2000; 55: Suppl. 1, 49. 

DUCKWORTH D, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL N, FAN P, QUON H, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Evidence of the Stent Effect on Radiation Dosimetry. Poster presentation at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting, Oct. 2000.  

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL N, SHIH JA, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, TSAO HS, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Treatment planning parameters for stent heterogeneity correction in intravascular brachytherapy. Int J Rad Onc Biol Phys 2000; 48: S348.  Poster presentation at the ASTRO meeting, Oct. 2000. 

Duckworth T, Chiu-Tsao S, Fan P, Patel N, Quon H, Ravi K, Sherman W, Pisch J, Harrison LB. Influence of Calcific Plaque Thickness on the Dose Reduction for ¹²⁵I Confirmed by GAFChromic Film Measurements. Advances in Cardiovascular Radiation Therapy V Syllabus, 2001, pp. 72. 

Duckworth T, Chiu-Tsao S, Patel N, Fan P, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, SHASHA D, Pisch J, Harrison LB. A New Type of High Sensitivity GAFChromic Film for ¹²⁵I Dosimetry. Oral presentation at AAPM meeting, 2001. 

Effect of stent on radiation dosimetry in an in-stent restenosis model.

P. Fan, S. Chiu-Tsao, K. Ravi, W. Sherman, J. Pish, L. Harrison. Presented at the September 1999, TCT Scientific Sessions.  

Effect of Calcium on dose distribution in intravascular brachytherapy.

P. Fan, S. Chiu-Tsao, K. Ravi, W. Sherman, J. Pish, L. Harrison. Presented at the September 1999, TCT Scientific Sessions. 

Outpatient Stenting Using the Femoral Approach with Vascular Sealing.

James Wilentz Gregory Mishkel, Carl Reimers, John Fox, Kumar Ravi, Warren Sherman Denise McDermott, Adam Kupersmith. Presented at the September 1999, TCT Scientific Sessions. 

Does size really matter? Comparison of 6F and 8F Guiding Catheters for Acute Myocardial Infarction Interventions: Results of Retrospective Study.

John Fox, Kumar Ravi, Carl Reimers, James Wilentz, Alexander Kasatkin, Warren Sherman. Accepted for presentation at the Year 2000, Third International Congress on Coronary Artery Disease, Lyon France 

A Randomized trial of Direct Stenting versus Balloon-Facilitated Stenting for treatment of coronary artery disease. Lance Kovar, E. Scott Monrad, Gary Silverman, William Gostis, Warren Sherman, Kumar Ravi, David L. Brown. Submitted for Presentation at the Year 2000, Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology. 

Outpatient Stenting Using the Femoral Approach with Vascular Sealing.

James Wilentz Gregory Mishkel, Carl Reimers, John Fox, Kumar Ravi, Warren Sherman Denise McDermott, Adam Kupersmith. Presented at the September 1998, TCT Scientific Sessions. 

Right Ventricular Dilatation in Patients with Pure Restrictive lung disease. Ravi K. Kalyanam Shivkumar, Henry JW, Michael Eichenhorn, Paul D.Stein. Clinical Research 1993,41; 3:638A. Presented at Central Society for Clinical research, Annual Conference, Nov 3,1993, Chicago ILL. 

Cause of Diffusion Capacity Abnormality in patients with a pure Restrictive Ventilatory Impairment. Ravi K. Henry JW. Michael Eichenhorn, Paul D.Stein. Chest 1994; Aug supplement, 60S. Accepted for presentation at the Annual International Scientific Assembly (AISA) of the American College of Chest Physicians, November 1994, New Orleans LA. 

Right Ventricular Performance in Patients with Pure Restrictive Ventilatory impairment. Kalyanam Shivkumar, Ravi K. Henry JW. Michael Eichenhorn, Paul D.Stein. Clinical Research 1994, 42; 2:323A Presented at Central Society for Clinical research, Annual Conference, May 1994,Baltimore MD. 

Chest Radiographs fail to identify Right Ventricular Enlargement in patients With Pure Restrictive lung disease. Kalyanam Shivkumar, Ravi K. Henry JW. Michael Eichenhorn, Paul D.Stein. Clinical Research 1993,41; 3:642A. Presented at Central Society for Clinical research, Annual Conference, Nov 3,1993, Chicago ILL.

Manuscripts

FAN P, CHIU-TSAO S, PATEL NS, SHIH JA, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, TSAO HS, PISCH J, HARRISON LB. Effect of Stent on Radiation Dosimetry in an In-stent Restenosis Model. Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine 2000; 2: 18-25. 

PATEL N, CHIU-TSAO S, FAN P, Ahunbay E, RAVI K, SHERMAN W, QUON H, PISCH J, TSAO HS, HARRISON LB. Treatment planning dosimetric parameters for a ⁹⁰Y coil source used in intravascular brachytherapy. Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine 2001; 2: 83- 92. 

Patel N, Fan P, Chiu-Tsao S, Ravi K, Sherman W, Quon H, Pisch J, Tsao HS, Harrison LB. Ytterbium-169: a promising new radionuclide for intravascular brachytherapy. Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine, 2001; 2. 

James Wilentz Gregory Mishkel, Carl Reimers, John Fox, Kumar Ravi, Warren Sherman Denise McDermott, Adam Kupersmith. Outpatient Stenting Using the Femoral Approach with Vascular Sealing. Beth Israel Medical Center New York, NY.  Prairie Education Research Cooperative, Springfield IL. Accepted for publication in “The Journal of Invasive Cardiology”. 

Right Ventricular Dilatation, Wall Thickening, and Doppler Evidence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with a Pure Restrictive Ventilatory Impairment. Kalyanam Shivkumar, Ravi K. Henry JW. Michael Eichenhorn and Paul D.Stein. Chest 1994; 106:1649-534.