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It’s All In The Wrist… And On The Web: U.S. Physician Demand For Transradial Access Education On The Rise
New Transradial Access Site from Terumo Medical Corporation Supports Educational Need

Transradial University     March 24, 2010 -- Somerset, New Jersey -- Terumo Medical Corporation, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Terumo Corporation, today announced the launch of its Transradial University, an informational website that recognizes the growing training and information needs of physicians and other medical professionals interested in expanding their use of transradial access as an alternative vascular access site. As transradial adoption expands in the U.S., two key limiting factors are training and experience.

The interactive website, www.transradialuniversity.com offers on-demand informational modules intended to provide physicians an introduction to various aspects of transradial cases from arterial access through hemostasis, including tips and tricks, with contributions from leading transradialists.


"There is definitely a huge demand for transradial education in the U.S., greater than we have seen in the past," said Sunil V. Rao, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, and Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, Durham VA Medical Center. “There are both clinical and economic factors driving transradial interest, but the demand is outstripping the availability of educational options.”

Dr. Rao is one of a number of transradial interventionalists contributing to content development and case modules for Transradial University.

    Sunil V. Rao, MD
Sunil V. Rao, MD

Transradial access uses the arteries of the wrist, rather than the groin, to gain access to the heart. It is the leading access strategy in many countries of the world, but not the United States. In the U.S., transradial access accounts for an estimated 3-5 percent of cases, where femoral access (through the groin) has been the default strategy. The primary reason for this is physician training and habit. But, femoral access also has identified drawbacks, which have become more evident recently.

The nagging, unaddressed problem of access site bleeding and other similar complications associated with the femoral approach, combined with more aggressive anti-platelet medications which can increase the risk for bleeding, has been a key driver for physician interest in transradial access. In various clinical studies, transradial access has shown the potential to reduce these complications. Further, it has the potential to reduce overall costs by increasing the number of outpatient diagnostic and angioplasty procedures, eliminate costs associated with extended stays and hospital re-admissions, and increase patient satisfaction.

“Terumo is committed to delivering this important and innovative new tool for physicians and other health care professionals seeking information on transradial access training,” said Gary Clifton, Senior Marketing Manager, Terumo Medical Corporation. “We greatly appreciate the work of all the transradial physicians who have contributed to the content of this website.”

Terumo Interventional Systems
Terumo Interventional Systems (TIS), a strategic business unit of Terumo Medical Corporation, directly markets a full line of guidewires, catheters, introducer sheaths, guiding sheaths and embolization products for use in a multitude of different interventional procedures.

Interventional Radiologists, Interventional Neuroradiologists, Interventional Cardiologists, and Vascular Surgeons are among the medical professionals that depend upon TIS products to access and cross difficult-to-reach lesions, thereby allowing therapeutic intervention in previously unreachable vascular beds.

Customers can contact Terumo Interventional Systems by calling its Inside Sales Customer Care Team at 800.862.4143 or by visiting http://www.terumois.com.

Terumo Medical Corporation
Founded in 1972 as a Terumo Corporation subsidiary, Terumo Medical Corporation (TMC) develops, manufactures, and markets high-quality medical devices used in a broad range of applications in numerous healthcare markets. TMC manufactures a broad portfolio of needles and syringes, entry-site management products, and a line of sterile connection devices used in hospitals and blood banks worldwide.

Terumo Corporation
Tokyo-based Terumo Corporation is one of the world’s leading medical device manufacturers with $3.0 billion in sales and operations in more than 160 nations. Founded in 1921, the company develops, manufactures, and distributes world-class medical devices including products for use in cardiothoracic surgery, interventional procedures, and transfusion medicine; the company also manufactures a broad array of syringe and hypodermic needle products for hospital and physician office use. Terumo contributes to society by providing valued products and services to the healthcare market and by responding to the needs of healthcare providers and the people they serve. Terumo Corporation’s shares are listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (No. 4543, Reuters symbol <4543.T>, or Bloomberg 4543: JP) and is a component of the Nikkei 225, Japan’s leading stock index.

Source: Terumo Interventional Systems