Toshiba's CorE 64 trial investigates the use of multi-slice CT as the primary diagnostic tool for detecting cardiovascular diseases and disorders, as compared to cardiac catheterization, a costly, invasive technique. Data collected to date from CorE 64 indicates CT holds a favorable place as a diagnostic alternative to cardiac catheterization and has the potential to change the delivery of healthcare.

"We expect CorE 64 findings to impact the overall reimbursement guidelines for multi-slice CT, resulting in greater patient access to these exams and to have significant economic benefits for 64-slice CT," explained Toshihiro Rifu, senior fellow, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation. "Additional benefits from this study are already evidenced by the use of CorE 64's preliminary data in two ancillary studies by Johns Hopkins University presented at American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual meeting."

The CorE 64 multi-center study participants include nine sites across seven countries:

• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, Md., led by primary investigators Drs. João A. C. Lima and Julie Miller
• Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Md.
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard in Boston, Mass.
• Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands
• Humboldt University, Campus Charité Mitte in Germany
• INCOR Heart Institute of the School of Medicine Hospital, Sao Paulo University in Brazil
• Iwate Medical University in Japan
• Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore
• Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital in Canada

According to Toshiba's senior director of CT, Doug Ryan, the CorE 64 clinical trial utilizes a different approach when compared to previous studies on the topic. This is attributed in large part to the study's unique design, which calls for an international, multi-center approach, bypassing limitations associated with previous studies that focus on one geographic area or utilize smaller patient populations.

"CorE 64 is the first trial that evaluates all of its 400 study participants who are between 50 and 70 percent stenotic, resulting in statistically significant data," noted Ryan. "We anticipate CorE 64 will set a precedent for all future CT trials conducted by Toshiba and by other leaders in the medical field."

For more information about CorE 64, please visit www.medical.toshiba.com

About Toshiba
With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., an independent group company of Toshiba Corp., is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, Cath & EP Labs, X-ray, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, MRI and information systems. Toshiba Corp. is a leader in information and communications systems, electronic components, consumer products, and power systems. Toshiba has approximately 172,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $62 billion. For more information, visit www.medical.toshiba.com.