FIRST LIVER DIALYSIS UNIT IN ARIZONA OPENS AT MAYO CLINIC HOSPITAL

Wednesday, March 15, 2000

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, March 15, 2000 - Mayo Clinic Hospital today announced that it would be the first facility in Arizona to provide liver dialysis. This service will enable Mayo Clinic Hospital to more effectively serve the needs of its liver disease patients in the area, specifically patients suffering from decompensation of chronic liver disease due to Hepatitis C and cirrhosis, as well as patients suffering from drug overdose or drug toxicity.

Mayo Clinic Hospital is employing the latest tool for treating patients, an FDA-approved liver dialysis unit, which can effectively clear toxins from the bloodstream, diminishing stress on the liver and enabling physicians to stabilize their patients. It is the only liver assist technology with FDA clearance for the treatment of patients who are experiencing liver decompensation and drug overdose.

David Mulligan, M.D., chair, division of transplant surgery at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, multi-organ transplant surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at Mayo Medical School, explains the impact of the technology. "Prior to offering liver dialysis, we've had very few treatment options available to help these people. This technology is a significant breakthrough and provides us with an effective new tool for the treatment of patients with liver disease or those suffering from drug overdose or poisoning. While it is not a cure, the unit can eliminate life-threatening toxins that are associated with liver toxicity," says Dr. Mulligan.

Dr. Mulligan adds "This unit will best help those with sudden liver failure and with certain chronic decompensating liver disease to prevent them from getting too sick before a liver becomes available."

The liver dialysis unit is a compact, mobile, self-contained system about the size of a dishwasher and can be wheeled to a patient's bedside. The unit removes toxins while balancing blood chemistries through its ability to add specific electrolytes and glucose to the patient's blood.

Liver disease is the third-leading cause of death in the United States for people age 25-29. Liver disease can cause a dangerous build-up of toxins in the liver. About 27,000 people die each year from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. The majority of the cause for end-stage liver disease in the United States today is from Hepatitis C.

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Editor's note: Physician interviews may be arranged by calling Anne Tewksbury, Marketing/Communications, 480-301-4368. CD-Rom animation of the unit is available on request.

Mayo Clinic is a private group practice of medicine dedicated to providing diagnosis and treatment of patient illnesses through a systematic focus on individual patient needs. Mayo Clinic provides comprehensive hospital and outpatient services at each of its major locations - Rochester, Minn.; Jacksonville, Fla; and Scottsdale, Ariz. At each site, clinical practice is closely integrated with advanced education and research programs. Mayo Clinic Scottsdale offers outpatient healthcare in 66 medical and surgical specialties and programs. Located on 284 acres at Shea Boulevard and 134th Street, the Clinic's 250 physicians and 2,400 support staff have served over 558,000 patients since opening in 1987. Mayo Clinic also provides care at primary care practices located throughout the Valley and at the new Mayo Clinic Hospital. The hospital is located on 210 acres at 56th Street and Mayo Boulevard (north of Bell Road), and provides inpatient care to support the medical and surgical specialties of the Clinic. The hospital has 178 licensed beds and employs a support staff of 1,100

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