News Release

For more information, please contact:
Brotman Medical Center, Inc.
Dawna Nolan, Director of Physician Relations
(310) 202.4146
dawna.nolan@brotmanmed.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROTMAN MEDICAL CENTER HOSTS OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW CARDIAC AND PERIPHERAL ANGIOGRAPHY SUITE
Culver City Mayor and Councilmembers present proclamation in honor of Brotman's service to the community

Culver City, CA— December 5, 2005— On Thursday evening, November 17th, Brotman Medical Center held a gala open house to announce the completion of its new cardiac and peripheral angiography suite. Among the dignitaries attending the event were Culver City Mayor Albert Vera and City Councilmembers Carol Gross and Steve Rose. Mayor Vera presented a proclamation from the City to Maurine Cate, Chief Executive Officer of Brotman Medical Center and Ronald Karlsberg, M.D., Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (see photo attachment). Mayor Vera thanked Brotman for its commitment to the health of the community and for its investment in the very latest technological equipment that will enable the hospital to continue to be a healthcare leader well into the future.

The heart of the new cardiac and peripheral angiography suite is the Toshiba dual plane Infinix DP-i dual C-arm system. This compact system comes equipped with two "C-arm" diagnostic tools. One is used specifically for cardiac work and the other for peripheral work outside of the heart including the neck, kidneys, and legs.

Cardiac catheterization is a common, relatively painless, nonsurgical procedure that helps doctors diagnose a heart problem. In some cases, catheterization can be used to treat heart disease, as well. To perform the procedure, a cardiologist inserts a long, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel and gently guides it towards the heart. Once the catheter is in place, x-rays and other tests are done to help physicians evaluate how well the heart is working.

A cardiac catheterization lab is designed to diagnose and treat patients with heart disease, as well as patients with blockage in the circulatory system. Physicians may use angioplasty, stents, and lasers to treat narrowed or blocked arteries around the heart. These procedures are also performed in the arteries to the kidney, brain, arms and legs. Permanent pacemakers, intra-aortic balloon pumps and implantable defibulators are also routinely inserted in the cath lab.

There are three main types of procedures done in the cardiac cath lab:

• Diagnostic Catheterizations are used to determine the specific type of defects present, the need for surgery and the best treatment course for each patient.
• Interventional Catheterization, in which narrowings in the valves and vessels can be opened up or holes between the chambers can be closed.
• Electrophysiology Studies and Radiofrequency Ablations, in which catheters are used to diagnose abnormal electrical conduction in the heart (called dysrhythmias) and to use heat to destroy small areas of tissue to normalize the electrical conduction.

Ronald Karlsberg, M.D., Medical Director of the cardiac catheterization lab states, "The Toshiba system was chosen specifically for its precise high speed operation, advanced clinical efficiency and reduced examination times. It provides head-to-toe patient coverage with great flexibility for all cardiac angiography and peripheral interventional procedures." Once operational, the new Toshiba system will provide Brotman Medical Center double the capacity to handle cardiac catheterization and interventional cases.

Maurine Cate, CEO of Brotman Medical Center says, "This investment affirms Brotman Medical Center's commitment to our physicians and to the healthcare of our community. We look forward to begin to fully utilize the additional capabilities that this new system."

Image Caption: Culver City Mayor Albert Vera presents Ronald Karlsberg, M.D., Medical Director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory with a proclamation from the City at the recent open house of Brotman Medical Center's new cardiac and peripheral angiography suites. Maurine Cate, CEO of Brotman and City Councilmember Carol Gross look on.

ABOUT BROTMAN MEDICAL CENTER

Brotman Medical Center— founded in 1924 is a 420-bed hospital located at 3828 Delmas Terrace, Culver City, CA. Utilizing some of the latest medical treatments and technologies, the hospital offers a wide range of inpatient and outpatient acute care services as well as rehabilitation, psychiatric care and chemical dependency services. Centrally located in downtown Culver City, the hospital operates a 24-hour emergency services center staffed by board-certified emergency physicians and nurse specialists serving as a paramedic receiving station. Brotman is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about Brotman Medical Center visit www.brotmanmedicalcenter.com.