DFIB Cardiac Science (MM)

Study Shows Powerheart CRM(R) Bedside Defibrillator Greatly Improves Response Times for Hospitalized Cardiac Arrest Patients Study Published in Journal Resuscitation Assesses Only FDA Approved Bedside Monitor/Defibrillator IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cardiac Science, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFIB), a leading manufacturer of life-saving automatic defibrillators, today announced that data from a new, peer-reviewed study demonstrates that the Company's in-hospital Powerheart(R) Cardiac Rhythm Module (CRM) technology is not only safe and effective, but significantly shortens hospital response time to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Because the time to defibrillation is the most critical determinant to patient survival, the study results indicate that the CRM technology can significantly improve the outcomes of hospital patients stricken with SCA. The Powerheart CRM is designed to be prophylactically attached to an at-risk cardiac patient, continuously monitor a patients heart, detect the onset of a life-threatening arrhythmia and automatically deliver defibrillation therapy to patients suffering from SCA, without the need for human intervention. The study, published this month in the Journal Resuscitation and authored by Andre Moreira Bento, M.D., was conducted principally at the Instituto do Corocao, University of Sao Paulo Medical School in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study monitored 55 cardiac patients located in special monitoring wards (intensive or emergency units). During a total of approximately 1,300 hours of monitoring, 18 episodes of life-threatening rhythm events were documented that required treatment through defibrillation. The mean response time to defibrillation shock delivered automatically by the Powerheart was 33.4 seconds and the therapy was successful in converting the patient to a normal heart rhythm 94.4 percent of the time on the first shock (17/18) and 100 percent on the second shock (1/1). There were no patient complications. Current scientific literature reports that mean response times in hospitals are measured in minutes and are highly variable depending on staffing levels and time of day under the traditional "code blue" system. Typically only about 25 percent of patients who suffer SCA during their hospitalization survive until discharge. "It is logical to infer that significantly reducing time to defibrillation to seconds vs minutes will result in far greater survival rates for patients that suffer life-threatening arrhythmias in the hospital," Cardiac Science Chairman and CEO Raymond W. Cohen said. "We hope that this study and those that are underway in the U.S. and abroad will become important catalysts for the adoption of our unique Powerheart CRM technology in a variety of hospital settings, where cardiac patients are at risk of cardiac arrest." The authors of the study concluded that the evidence suggests that the use of the Powerheart on cardiac patients throughout the hospital presents the possibility of providing consistently rapid identification and response to life-threatening arrhythmias. About Cardiac Science Cardiac Science develops, manufactures and markets a complete line of Powerheart(R) brand, automated public access defibrillators (AEDs), and offers comprehensive AED/CPR training and AED program management services that facilitate successful deployments. The company makes the Powerheart(R) CRM(TM), the only FDA-cleared therapeutic patient monitor that instantly and automatically treats hospitalized cardiac patients who suffer life-threatening heart rhythms. Cardiac Science also manufactures its AED products on a private label basis for other leading medical companies such as Nihon Kohden (Japan), Quinton Cardiology Systems and GE Healthcare. For more information please visit http://www.cardiacscience.com/ or call 1.949.797.3800. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, from time to time the company, or its representatives, have made or may make forward looking statements orally or in writing. The words "estimate," "potential," "intended," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," and similar expressions or words are intended to identify forward looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the achievement of future revenue growth and the lowering of the company's breakeven revenue level by the third quarter. Cardiac Science cautions that these statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties and are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements and should not be relied upon by investors when making an investment decision. Information on these and other factors is detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2003, subsequent quarterly filings, and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information, please contact: Investors, Matt Clawson, , or Media, Len Hall, , both of Allen & Caron Inc, +1-949-474-4300, for Cardiac Science, Inc.; or Michael Gioffredi, Chief Marketing Officer of Cardiac Science, Inc., +1-949-797-3800, . DATASOURCE: Cardiac Science, Inc. CONTACT: Investors, Matt Clawson, , or Media, Len Hall, , both of Allen & Caron Inc, +1-949-474-4300, for Cardiac Science, Inc.; or Michael Gioffredi, Chief Marketing Officer of Cardiac Science, Inc., +1-949-797-3800, Web site: http://www.cardiacscience.com/

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