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High Volume Diuresis Combined With Matched Maintenance of Intravascular Volume May Prevent Contrast-Induced Nephropathy FRANKLIN, Mass., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- High volume diuresis combined with matched maintenance of intravascular volume may reduce the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in post-transplant patients with moderate to severe renal impairment, according to a study to be presented at the CRT 2007 conference, March 7-9, 2007 in Washington, DC. The study was conducted at Newark-Beth Israel Hospital, Newark, NJ, and involved 10 patients. The patients were post one year heart transplantation recipients with baseline creatinine clearances between 20 and 60 ml/min. Each received contrast doses ranging from 50 to 200 ml of Visipaque, and standard doses of Mucomyst (acetylcysteine) and sodium bicarbonate. A nurse monitored the urine output and matched the infusion rate for intravenous fluid replacement in order to maintain the patient's intravascular volume. The urine volume for all patients averaged about 1000 ml/hour during the delivery of therapy. None of the patients experienced any adverse changes in oxygen saturation or hemodynamics nor complained of shortness of breath. Some patients had a reduction in serum potassium and magnesium that required oral replacement. There was essentially no change in serum creatinine from baseline in 9 out of the 10 patients post-procedure, indicating no occurrence of Contrast- Induced Nephropathy or CIN. Despite high urine outputs, no serious or unexpected adverse events were observed. No patient had any evidence of fluid overload and only one patient experience orthostatic hypotension that responded to oral fluids. "The data suggests that high urine output with matched replacement hydration to maintain intravascular volume may reduce the incidence of CIN in heart transplant patients," stated David A. Baran, M.D., Director of Heart Failure and Transplant Research, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ. "These results suggest that this method should be further evaluated as a therapy for CIN." A second study conducted with dogs also suggested that the incidence of CIN is reduced by inducing high volume diuresis and matched replacement of intravascular volume. This study will also be presented at CRT 2007. Both studies were supported by PLC Systems, Inc. (AMEX:PLC), which has been developing its RenalGuard Therapy(TM) for the prevention of CIN. PLC believes that the studies may provide the basis for proof of concept for RenalGuard, which is based on the theory that creating and maintaining a high urine output is beneficial to patients undergoing imaging procedures where contrast agents are used. This therapy is intended to be used to reduce the toxic effects that contrast media can have on the kidneys. Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Approximately seven million patients worldwide undergo interventional therapeutic and diagnostic procedures each year. Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN) is a major and growing problem due to the increasing number of older patients, diabetics and patients with pre-existing renal failure requiring interventional procedures that use radiographic contrast media. CIN is the third most common cause of in-hospital acute renal failure, and is associated with significant in-hospital mortality rates, increased long-term mortality, increased major in-hospital adverse cardiac events, and increased risk of renal dialysis therapy, as well as prolonged hospital stays and increased medical costs. Studies indicate that approximately 15-20% of all patients undergoing image-guided cardiology and radiology procedures are at risk of developing CIN. The estimated mortality rate for such patients that acquire CIN may be as high as 35%. RenalGuard(TM) RenalGuard(TM) is an investigational system and therapy that targets patients with compromised renal function who may be at risk for CIN. RenalGuard Therapy is based on existing pre-clinical and industry study data that support the theory that initiating and maintaining high urine output allows the body to rapidly eliminate contrast, reducing its toxic effects. RenalGuard is a fully-automated, real-time matched fluid replacement device intended for interventional cardiology and radiology patients undergoing imaging procedures using contrast media. About PLC Systems Inc. PLC Systems Inc. is a medical technology company specializing in innovative technologies for the cardiac and vascular markets. Headquartered in Franklin, Mass., PLC pioneered the CO2 Heart Laser System, which cardiac surgeons use to perform CO2 transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) to alleviate symptoms of severe angina. CO2 TMR offers a treatment option for angina patients who suffer from severe coronary artery disease. The CO2 Heart Laser is the world's first TMR angina relief device approved by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. In a move to broaden its market, the company is initiating clinical studies for RenalGuard, its matched fluid replacement device intended for interventional cardiology and radiology patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic imaging catheterization procedures where contrast agents are administered. Additional company information can be found at http://www.plcmed.com/. This press release contains "forward-looking" statements. For this purpose, any statements contained in this press release that relate to prospective events or developments are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "expects," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward- looking statements. Our statements of our objectives are also forward-looking statements. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change, and you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of important factors, including that the data cited above may not be supported by future clinical trials, we may not receive necessary regulatory approvals to market our RenalGuard product, the clinical trials for that product may not be successful, the RenalGuard product may not be commercially accepted, operational changes, competitive developments may affect the market for our products, regulatory approval requirements may affect the market for our products, and additional risk factors described in our Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and our other SEC reports. PLC Systems, PLC Medical Systems, PLC, CO2 Heart Laser, RenalGuard, RenalGuard System and RenalGuard Therapy are trademarks of PLC Systems Inc. Contact: Mary T. Conway Conway Communications 617-244-9682 DATASOURCE: PLC Systems, Inc. CONTACT: Mary T. Conway, Conway Communications, +1-617-244-9682 or , for PLC Systems Inc. Web site: http://www.plcmed.com/

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