SAN DIEGO, March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Accumetrics, Inc., developer of the VerifyNow(R) System, the first rapid and easy-to-use point-of-care system for measuring platelet reactivity to multiple antiplatelet agents, announced today that a new recommendation for platelet reactivity testing has been incorporated into the updated 2011 ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the Management of UA/NSTEMI Patients.

The Guidelines, published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology(1), signify the growing focus and importance of platelet reactivity testing in a variety of patient populations, including UA/NSTEMI and ACS/PCI. The IIb (B) recommendation suggests that an approach of assessing platelet reactivity in combination with other procedural and patient characteristics may be considered to aid in patient management decisions.

"The addition of platelet reactivity testing to the Guidelines captures what we have already implemented at Scripps," said Matthew J. Price, MD, of the Scripps Translational Science Institute and Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, CA. "We believe that when considering alternative approaches for the management of patients that require antiplatelet therapy, an individualized approach that incorporates platelet reactivity testing is warranted in an attempt to minimize further ischemic events."

The Update also provides guidance on the rapidly expanding treatment options for patients requiring antiplatelet medications. "With the availability of newer antiplatelet agents, it has become challenging for a physician to determine how to manage individual patients," stated Kevin Croce, MD, PhD, Interventional Cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "By utilizing platelet reactivity testing as recommended in this new Guideline, we feel we have a clearer picture on how to optimally manage our patients at the Brigham in this increasingly complex clinical setting."

The release of these Guidelines further elevates awareness of platelet reactivity testing as an important topic, and sets the stage for additional data and discussions at the 2011 ACC Scientific Sessions. New data from a patient-level meta-analysis will be presented by Dr. Somjot Brar on April 3rd, and Dr. Paul Gurbel and Dr. Matthew Price will discuss "The Application of Available Data in Clinical Practice" during the Accumetrics Industry Expert Theater Program on April 4th.

"The ACCF/AHA UA/NSTEMI Guidelines follow the STS/SCA Blood Conservation Guidelines released earlier this month, reinforcing the clinical importance of point-of-care platelet reactivity testing," said Timothy I. Still, President and CEO of Accumetrics. "With the VerifyNow System, Accumetrics is proud to be the leader in providing this critically important information to aid in the management of patients."

The VerifyNow System is widely used in various clinical settings where antiplatelet medications are prescribed to reduce the occurrence of future thrombotic events such as heart attack and stroke.