PLC Plc Systems,

'The TMR surgery was the most wonderful thing that has happened to me in my life. Today, my family and friends have trouble keeping up with me and are constantly telling me to slow down. Were it not for TMR, I would not be here today.' - - Pat Gibbs, CO2 TMR Patient FRANKLIN, Mass., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Pat Gibbs was like many heart patients that suffer from angina. She had previously received a variety of treatments including numerous medications, several interventions, and two coronary artery bypass surgeries. Despite the advances in modern cardiac care there are heart patients who continue to suffer with angina, which significantly limits the quality of life for these patients. Fortunately, for this patient population and specifically for Pat Gibbs, a therapy, known as carbon dioxide (CO2) TransMyocardial Revascularization (TMR), has emerged to help alleviate angina pain in severely debilitated heart patients. In August of this year, Pat Gibbs celebrated her 10th year of angina free living after receiving CO2 TMR in August of 1996. "Prior to the TMR procedure, I was living on nitroglycerine tablets, sometimes one tablet every hour," said Pat Gibbs, commenting on her quality of life before the CO2 TMR therapy. "Each morning the simple effort of sitting up and turning off the alarm clock forced me to take a nitroglycerine tablet. The trip from my bedroom to the kitchen was a challenge. I had to sit down half way, take another nitroglycerine tablet and rest a minute before going on into the kitchen. Finally, I was told by the doctors that nothing could be done for me and I needed a heart transplant. Regarding the heart transplant, I was rejected because of my age. Although I was still suffering from non-stop chest pain I was told to go home and pray." During the CO2 TMR procedure, a cardiac surgeon utilizes a CO2 laser to create approximately 20 to 40 channels through the wall of the heart (myocardium) to promote increased blood flow. In clinical studies, CO2 TMR has demonstrated a reduction in angina and an improvement in quality of life. In fact, the CO2 TMR therapy has demonstrated five-year angina relief in severely debilitated heart patients. It is believed the creation of TMR channels promotes angiogenesis, the development and formation of new blood vessels. The CO2 TMR Heart Laser system is manufactured by PLC Systems Inc. (AMEX:PLC) and distributed by Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW). Commenting on her improved quality of life Pat Gibbs said, "Since my TMR surgery 10 years ago, I have gone white-water rafting, participated in operating an aid station for a marathon in the mountains of Alaska, visited Indian Ruins in the desert, danced all night with my grandson at a Mardi Gras ball in New Orleans, and rode a mule into the Grand Canyon. Today, I am a happy, healthy and active person, who enjoys both gardening and volunteering in my community." Pat Gibbs concluded, "The TMR surgery is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me in my life. My family and friends have trouble keeping up with me and are constantly telling me to slow down. Were it not for TMR, I would not be here today." PLC Systems is a medical technology company specializing in innovative technologies for the cardiac and vascular markets. Headquartered in Franklin, Mass., PLC pioneered the CO2 Heart Laser System that cardiac surgeons use to perform CO2 transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) to alleviate symptoms of severe angina. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) is the exclusive U.S. marketer and distributor of PLC's next-generation CO2 Heart Laser 2 systems. To date, more than 15,000 cardiac patients have been treated with a CO2 Heart Laser. Additional company information can be found at http://www.plcmed.com/. PLC Systems, PLC Medical Systems, PLC and CO2 Heart Laser are trademarks of PLC Systems Inc. Edwards Lifesciences, and Edwards are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences. John Jordan Director of Investor Relations 508-541-8800, ext. 145 DATASOURCE: PLC Systems CONTACT: John Jordan, Director of Investor Relations of PLC Systems, +1-508-541-8800, ext. 145 Web site: http://www.plcmed.com/

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