Senzime to conduct clinical trial at NorthShore in Chicago, USA
Uppsala, November 7, 2016: Senzime (publ) launches a clinical study at NorthShore University HealthSystem, Chicago, USA, a Teaching Affiliate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Professor Glenn Murphy is a world-leading authority and clinical investigator of complications that result from residual neuromuscular block in patients undergoing surgery and general anesthesia. Professor Murphy will head this clinical investigation of the leading neuromuscular monitoring system, the TetraGraph. This study is designed to investigate the clinical utility of the TetraGraph System in a total of 150 patients, and will compare its ease of use, reliability and precision to the former leading product that has been discontinued from the market.
Every year over 70 million surgical patients undergo general anesthesia and receive neuromuscular blocking (muscle relaxant) drugs. Without objective monitoring, over 30 percent of patients experience postoperative complications due to premature removal of the breathing tube, resulting in residual muscle weakness, oxygen desaturation, inability to protect the airway from regurgitation and aspiration, postoperative pneumonia, and need for emergent re-insertion of the breathing tube. TetraGraph is Senzime’s unique objective patient monitoring system that enables the clinician to optimize administration of muscle relaxant drugs and decide on the most appropriate time to antagonize the neuromuscular block in order to allow patients to breathe spontaneously.
Senzime in collaboration with Professor Glenn Murphy at NorthShore University HealthSystem will perform a validation study on the first 25 patients, investigating the monitor’s accuracy and consistency, while collecting clinician usability data. Initial study results are scheduled for release at the end of 2016.
Avoidance of postoperative pulmonary complications from residual neuromuscular block improves patient care and patient satisfaction while reducing healthcare costs. In a recent 2016 editorial, Professor Murphy commented: “Incomplete neuromuscular recovery during a vulnerable postoperative period may impair upper airway patency, protective airway reflexes, breathing, swallowing, and coughing, resulting in an increased risk of significant respiratory events and death.”
"The trend to require objective monitoring of patients receiving muscle relaxant drugs is rising and already is standard in several countries' practices. TetraGraph is an easy to use and reliable system that will play a major role in surgical procedures in the future and it is gratifying that a prominent institution as NorthShore University decided to initiate clinical studies with TetraGraph. Studies begin in November and we confidently look forward to the first results to be presented in December 2016, "says Senzime’s CEO Lena Söderström.
For further information, please contact:
Lena Söderström, CEO of Senzime AB
Tel: +46 708-16 39 12, email: lena.soderstrom@senzime.com
TO THE EDITORS
About Senzime
Senzime develops unique patient-oriented monitoring systems that make it possible to assess patients' biochemical and physiological processes before, during and after surgery. The portfolio of technologies includes bedside systems that enable automated and continuous monitoring of life-critical substances such as glucose and lactate in both blood and tissues, as well as systems to monitor patients’ neuromuscular function perioperatively and in the intensive care medicine setting. The solutions are designed to ensure maximum patient benefit, reduce complications associated with surgery and anesthesia, and decrease health care costs. Senzime operates in growing markets that in Europe and the United States are valued in excess of $10 billion. The company's shares are listed on AktieTorget (ATORG: SEZI) www.senzime.com