Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis

KYOTO, Japan, Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd. based in Muko, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, announces attendance and sponsorship of the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology 2024 (ESC Congress 2024) which will take place in London (UK), from August 30 to September 2, 2024. At the congress, OMRON will showcase the latest heart health solutions, introducing the new "OMRON M7 Intelli IT AFib," an advanced blood pressure monitor capable of detecting possible Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) during every blood pressure measurement. AFib screening during home blood pressure monitoring enables widespread access to convenient, effective methods of detecting AFib early to aid in safeguarding people's heart health. The Satellite Symposium on Sunday, September 1, will address the importance of the early detection of AFib and the results of a clinical trial concerning AFib risks in hypertensive patients. Logo: Prior to the event, the second annual meeting of the AF Screen International Collaboration will take place on Thursday, August 29, 2024. This research group consists of more than 200 well known researchers in AFib from 40 countries, led by a scientific committee of international experts in heart rhythm disorders. During this meeting, participants will have the opportunity to elaborate and agree on future steps to promote discussion and research around AFib detection to reduce stroke risks. OMRON supports this important initiative through an unrestricted educational grant. The ESC Congress 2024 is an annual scientific meeting organized by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to advance and improve the knowledge of cardiologists, cardiovascular nurses, and allied professionals through the presentation of the latest clinical trials and research on cardiac disease. The spotlight of ESC Congress 2024 will be "Personalizing Cardiovascular Care"; a topic devoted to empowering patients through tailored treatments to improve outcomes, reduce risk, and redefine the standard of care. The event will bring together professionals from around the world to exchange information. The theme of the OMRON sponsored Satellite symposium is "Screening for AFib and hypertension: time to act now" and the notable experts, including Professor Ben Freedman, Honorary Professor of Cardiology at the University of Sydney, will discuss the clinical research results on the importance of early detection of AFib, as well as research on the possibility of early detection using new technologies. AFib, an arrhythmia that is said to be a factor in cardiogenic cerebral embolism. The lecture will also include research on the risk of developing AFib in hypertensive patients. The OMRON blood pressure monitor with a built-in ECG, OMRON Complete, was used in these clinical trials. Aiming for "Zero cerebro-cardiovascular events," OMRON Healthcare has been working on advancing the ways of detecting possible AFib at an early stage. AFib is a prevalent arrhythmia, and a key risk factor in developing heart failure and stroke. Early AFib detection and treatment can help prevent serious complications, however, the challenge is that 50-87%* of patients with AFib are initially asymptomatic, making early detection difficult. In particular, people with high blood pressure are at high risk for AFib. OMRON Healthcare has been developing a variety of devices and services that enable anyone to easily monitor blood pressure and record ECG at home to increase early detection of AFib risk. In addition, OMRON Healthcare is actively supporting clinical research and participating in events together with global medical professionals and is developing academic activities to build evidence that will benefit disease treatment and health promotion. OMRON Healthcare will continue to promote academic activities globally, develop devices and services, and contribute to empowering people worldwide to live life to the fullest. ESC Congress 2024 Event Outline Date: August 30 to September 2, 2024 (BST) Venue: ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL, United Kingdom Official website: Satellite Symposium Date & time: 10:00 am - 10:45 am on Sunday, September 1, 2024 (BST) Venue: Room Dublin, ExCel London Speakers: Prof. Ben Freedman: Honorary Professor of Cardiology at the University of Sydney Prof. Alta Schutte: Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Theme Lead of Cardiac, Vascular and Metabolic Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at UNSW Sydney, Australia Prof. Renate Schnabel: Professor in Cardiology at University Heart Center Hamburg Sessions: 10:00 - 10:05 Hypertension and Atrial Fibrillation: Dangerous bedfellows: Prof. B. Freedman 10:05 - 10:15 Screening for hypertension and AF in one go: A no-brainer: Prof. A. Schutte 10:15 - 10:25 Changing the game for new AF screening initiatives: Prof. R. Schnabel 10:25 - 10:35 Atrial fibrillation and its pulse wave: A new footprint: Prof. B. Freedman 10:35 - 10:45 Discussion and Q&A: Prof. B. Freedman About OMRON Healthcare Committed to advance health and empower people worldwide to live life to the fullest, OMRON Healthcare is a global leader in the field of clinically proven, innovative medical equipment for home health monitoring and treatment. Aiming to realize its vision "Going for Zero, Preventive Care for the Health of Society," the company develops products and services for cardiovascular condition management, remote patient monitoring, respiratory care, and pain therapy devices. These help healthcare professionals and patients reduce cerebro-cardiovascular events, aggravation of respiratory diseases and restrictions due to chronic pain. With well over 350 million units sold globally*, OMRON provides the world's most recommended blood pressure monitors by healthcare professionals**. Throughout its history, OMRON Healthcare has been striving to improve lives and contribute to a better society by developing innovations that help people prevent, treat, and manage their medical conditions and provide products and services in over 130 countries***. OMRON Healthcare Group is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. Official websites: Europe: International: Japan:

KYOTO, Japan, April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd. based in Muko, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, announces to be the official sponsor of May Measurement Month (MMM,) a global campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure screening and promote hypertension prevention, detection, and control. MMM was established by the International Society of Hypertension in 2017, and since then the Company has participated in this global campaign. A cumulative total of about 26,000 blood pressure monitors have been donated to 100 countries and regions, supporting over 6 million people in total taking their blood pressures so far. May 17 is set to be the World Hypertension Day, and there are diverse events organized by regional societies and committees worldwide. Through this initiative, the Company supports the measurement of blood pressure in hypertensive patients and the early detection of atrial fibrillation, which is considered a life-threatening arrhythmia. Logo: Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day in response to a variety of factors such as temperature, humidity, and physical factors including stress. Therefore, it is essential to monitor blood pressure at home in addition to regular health checkups at medical facilities. A study found that high blood pressure is estimated to cause more than 10 million deaths worldwide every year. Another research in Japan shows that 40% of hypertension patients are unaware of their symptoms or leave them untreated even if they are aware of the condition (*1). If hypertension is left untreated, it may cause an increase in the risk of life-threatening heart/brain diseases such as stroke and heart failure. On the other hand, early detection and proper management are well-known to prevent these types of diseases from progressing. OMRON's goal in participating in this campaign is to improve the awareness of home blood pressure monitoring and the early detection of diseases. In 2024, the MMM campaign stretches from May 1 to July 31 building on the World Hypertension Day on May 17 and a global screening campaign will take place for more than 1 million people over the age of 18. For those who visit the event sites, a series of professional advice, including nutritious therapy, lifestyle improvement and blood pressure management, will be provided and a test to measure the risk level of atrial fibrillation is available if they wish. Atrial fibrillation is the most common cause of cardioembolic stroke and can be a source of cardiogenic brain embolism. Research shows that hypertensive patients have an incidence of atrial fibrillation three times higher than normal people (*2). This year, the Company will donate 3,200 sets of upper-arm blood pressure monitors (BPMs), including a new model with built-in ECG that allows users to record ECG while monitoring their blood pressure with the aim of supporting the early detection of atrial fibrillation in hypertension patients. The Company has supported home blood pressure measurement campaigns worldwide to achieve its vision of Going for ZERO (zero cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases). OMRON will continue to engage in awareness-raising activities for home blood pressure measurement and ECG recording to support the early detection of cardiovascular disease risks. For more information, please visit the following website: Notes: (*1) The Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension (JSH 2019) (*2) Senoo K,Yukawa A, Ohkura T, et al. Screening for untreated atrial fibrillation in the elderly population: A community-based study. Pizzi C, ed. PLoS ONE.2022;17(6):e0269506. SOURCE OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd.

Bodo Marks/picture alliance via Getty AstraZeneca and Sanofi secured accelerated authorization for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibody nirsevimab from the European Medicines Agency. Bodo Marks/picture alliance via Getty AstraZeneca and Sanofi secured accelerated authorization for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibody nirsevimab from the European Medicines Agency. Nirsevimab was greenlit to prevent medically attended lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in all infants through their first RSV season. Nirsevimab is the first investigational long-acting antibody designed to provide RSV protection for all infants. The accelerated authorization was based on Phase II/III data from the MEDLEY trial and the P hase III MELODY trial that showed nirsevimab has the potential to protect all infants entering their first RSV season with a single dose. Nirsevimab is designed to be administered from birth to infants born during the RSV season or at the season’s start for infants entering their first RSV season. The companies said in a joint announcement that data from the MELODY and MEDLEY trials will be published in an upcoming peer-reviewed journal. The EMA granted accelerated approval for nirsevimab after the agency deemed the preventative medication was of “major interest for public health and therapeutic innovation.” Mene Pangalos, Ph.D., AstraZeneca’s head of biopharmaceuticals research and development, said nirsevimab has the potential to be the first immunization to offer protection for all infants against the respiratory syncytial virus as shown by the extensive clinical trial program. The positive news for AstraZeneca in RSV was offset by other disappointing news regarding its COVID-19 vaccine that has been beset by concerns regarding the formation of blood clots in some patients. Two independent studies published in PLOS Medicine revealed a “slightly elevated risk of intracranial thrombosis” following dosing with AstraZeneca’s ChAdOx1-S COVID vaccine. SciTech Daily first reported the studies, highlighting data found in the two papers. The first paper, written by William Whiteley, Ph.D., of the University of Edinburgh, analyzed electronic health records of 46 million adults in England. The second paper, also by a University of Edinburgh professor, Steven Kerr, Ph.D., used a dataset of 11 million adults in England, Scotland, and Wales. The first study analyzed the health records of English adults. Of those 46 million people, 21 million had been vaccinated against COVID-19 by either the AstraZeneca or the Pfizer - BioNTech vaccine. Data showed that in people under 70, there was a “small increase in the rate of intracranial venous thrombosis” observed in those who received the AstraZeneca medication. The study said it was approximately twice the rate compared to unvaccinated people. The same effect was not seen in those who received the mRNA vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. The second study compared the rate of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in patients 90 days before vaccination and four weeks after receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca or Pfizer drug. Like the other study, there was a small risk of CVST following the AstraZeneca shot and no increased risk following the Pfizer drug. There is a caveat to both studies. The University of Edinburgh professors who authored the papers warned that the low number of clotting risks, even in large cohorts, makes it difficult to make precise estimates. They plan to continue their studies and include other vaccines and second doses and booster shots. AstraZeneca also reported that Leif Johansson , the company’s non-executive chairman of the board of directors, will retire in 2023 following the annual general meeting next year. The search for his successor has begun. He will have served on the board for 11 years by next year’s annual meeting. Non-executive directors of U.K.-based companies typically serve nine years. According to reports, Johansson stayed on to help the company complete its $39 billion acquisition of rare disease company Alexion.