BROSSARD, Quebec, June 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diagnos Inc. (“DIAGNOS” or “the Corporation”) (TSX Venture:ADK) (OTCQB:DGNOF), a leader in early detection of critical health issues through the use of its FLAIRE platform based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), announces today the availability of its first cardio application called HTA.  This innovative application of CARA’s platform provides an automated system analysis of the microcirculation for hypertensive patients.  It provides an early warning of high blood pressure imbalance by evaluating the state of the circulation of the retina. This application is scheduled to be commercially available in July 2018 and uses the same cameras that are used for diabetic retinopathy screening.

“Following months of development in our Cardio product group, we are introducing the HTA application. The significance of hypertensive retinopathy will be measured by DIAGNOS algorithms. This new application may have great impact to further reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, as demonstrated by several clinical reports and many previous studies. In fact, an assessment of hypertensive retinopathy is supported by international hypertension management guidelines, including the US Joint National Committee on Prevention Detection Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure and the British Society of Hypertension.

Regression of hypertensive retinopathy signs with optimal control of blood pressure and adequate hypertension treatment, resolution of hypertensive retinopathy signs may occur over a period of 6 months.  The new application will be able to measure and report the impact of the treatment on the state of the microcirculation to further assist medical professionals.  This measurement is simple, low-cost, non-invasive and uses a commercially available fundus camera.  At regular intervals, we can monitor the patients using the same test to reach best control of blood pressure and adequate hypertension treatment,” said Dr. Hadi Chakor, DIAGNOS Chief Medical Officer.

We often hear from physicians and healthcare insurers that DIAGNOS screening tests are very much needed to detect the early stages of micro vascular anomalies.  High blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when blood pressure in the arteries is elevated if your blood pressure readings are consistently 139 over 89, or higher. Hypertension is often called “the silent killer” as it has no warning signs or symptoms, and can only be diagnosed through blood pressure measurement. It can affect anyone and is more common as we age. Once hypertension develops, it usually lasts for life. High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease.

An estimated 103 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, according to new statistics from the American Heart Association. That’s nearly half of all adults in the United States. As reported in the AHA’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2018 Update, published in January 2018, Dr. Paul Muntner, co-chair of the group that wrote the document, said “with the aging of the population and increased life expectancy, the prevalence of high blood pressure is expected to continue to increase.”

“Uncontrolled hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, dementia, kidney disease, eye problems (retinopathy), erectile dysfunction and diabetes.  The good news is that hypertension can be prevented and controlled with healthy lifestyle strategies, and, when required, medication for additional control. With DIAGNOS’ new HTA application, we can measure the cumulative damage of hypertension on the retinal microcirculation. The retina provides a window and an easy way to look into your body circulation,” said Dr. Reid Maclellan, member of the Board of Directors, DIAGNOS.  

“Our test will address one of the more pressing needs in cardiology and in the preventive medicine field to decrease the socioeconomic burden and complication cost of hypertension. This approach should complement public actions to reduce community risk factor levels and promote a healthier lifestyle.  The simplicity and effectiveness of our solution will greatly help decrease the risk of stroke and heart attack," said André Larente, CEO, DIAGNOS.

About CARA
CARA is a tele-ophthalmology platform that integrates with existing equipment (hardware and software) and processes at the point of care (POC) and comprises: image upload, image enhancement automated pre-screening, grading by a specialist, and referral to a specialist.  CARA’s Artificial Intelligence, based on FLAIRE technology, image enhancement algorithms make standard retinal images sharper, clearer, and easier to read. CARA is accessible securely over the internet, and is compatible with all recognized image formats and brands of fundus cameras, and is EMR compatible.  CARA is a cost-effective tool for screening large numbers of patients, in real time and has been approved by regulatory authorities including Health Canada, US Food and Drug Administration, the European Union and others.

Additional information is available at www.diagnos.ca  and www.sedar.com.

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This news release contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements. DIAGNOS disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.