Press Releases

TORONTO, March 31, 2006 – Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH), the leading provider of products and services supporting the health-care industry, today introduced its Vertebrex system at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s (SIR) annual meeting in Toronto. Vertebrex is a groundbreaking system designed for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures.

 

“By working with leading interventional radiologists, we developed solutions to improve cement control and cement preparation during vertebroplasty procedures,” said Tom Daulton, vice president and general manager of Cardinal Health’s Special Procedures group.

 

One of the most notable advancements is the new design of the cement tube. This allows the physician to avoid pressure build-up when starting an injection and reduces the risk of trailing cement behind when the injection is complete.

 

The Vertebrex system also advances bone cement preparation by automatically mixing pre-loaded cement components with a computerized motor, creating a more consistent uniform result each time.  Since Vertebrex is a closed system, noxious odors are virtually eliminated and sharps risk associated with the glass ampoule is minimized.

 

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed by interventional radiologists to repair fractures of the vertebral body.  Osteoporosis and benign or malignant lesions often cause these spinal fractures. More than 60,000 vertebroplasties are performed each year in the United States.

 

Using imaging equipment to guide them, physicians insert a needle through the patient’s back and into the fractured vertebra.  Bone cement is injected through the needle and into the bone, where it fills fracture gaps and hardens, strengthening collapsed vertebrae and relieving pain and pressure for the patient.



About Cardinal Health

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $75 billion, global company serving the health-care industry with a broad portfolio of products and services.  Through its diverse offering, Cardinal Health delivers integrated health-care solutions that help customers reduce their costs, improve efficiency and deliver better care to patients.  The company manufactures, packages and distributes pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, offers a range

of clinical services and develops automation products that improve the management and delivery of supplies and medication for hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies.  Ranked No. 16 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 55,000 people on six continents.  More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com.