Opsens - First use of dPR for the diagnosis of coronary stenosis with the heart at rest

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 8, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Opsens Inc. ("Opsens") (TSX: OPS) (OTCQX: OPSSF) announces that its Diastolic Pressure Ratio called dPR, has been used for the first time by Dr. Hitoshi Matsuo, cardiologist and President of the Gifu Heart Center Japan.

The measurement of Fractional Flow Reserve ("FFR") as a method of assessing intracoronary pressure has gained credibility and popularity following the publication of clinical studies demonstrating its benefits for patients' health. FFR is used to assess the incidence of coronary artery stenosis before selecting a treatment. This measurement is taken in the context where the heart is stimulated. Opsens' dPR has been developed to answer the need cardiologists have expressed to measure intracoronary pressure to make a diagnosis with the heart at rest.

"The arrival of Opsens' dPR is exciting for interventional cardiologists who need reliable measurements to assess and treat patients with the heart at rest," said Dr. Matsuo. "Second generation fiber optic technology enables accuracy which is becoming even more critical when pressure over coronary lesions is measured in a resting situation. In our experience, Opsens' OptoWire has the lowest drift in the industry and paired with the dPR, it stands out for its accuracy and ease of use. I felt very comfortable with my diagnosis. I could also re-use the technology after stenting to measure the success of the procedure," Dr. Matsuo added.

"Dr. Matsuo is a recognized key opinion leader in Japan and around the world. We are very honored by his trust to be the first worldwide user of Opsens' dPR algorithm," said Louis Laflamme, Opsens' President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our customers have shown growing interest in assessing intracoronary pressure with the heart at rest while asking for an alternative to existing resting algorithm. I am proud of our team's hard work that provided interventional cardiologists with this alternative," Laflamme added.

Medical publications have highlighted the equivalence of several algorithms using the measurement of pressure at rest. These publications are expected to accelerate the adoption of resting pressure measurement methods in the Interventional Cardiology community.

About Opsens Inc. (www.opsens.com or www.opsensmedical.com)

Opsens focuses mainly on the measure of FFR and dPR in interventional cardiology. Opsens offers an advanced optical-based pressure guidewire that aims at improving the clinical outcome of patients with coronary artery disease. Its flagship product, the OptoWire, is a 2^nd-generation fiber optic pressure guidewire designed to provide the lowest drift in the industry and excellent lesions access. The OptoWire has been used in the diagnosis and treatment of over 50,000 patients in more than 30 countries. It is approved for sale in the United States, European Union, Japan, and Canada.

Opsens is also involved in industrial activities in developing, manufacturing and installing innovative fibre optic sensing solutions for critical applications.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance and achievements of Opsens to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the said forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE OPSENS Inc.