Guys,
Just my skeptical question, but since Niobe makes it so much easier for the
procedure to be performed, it reduces radiation exposure for the patient and
cardiologist, it removes the lead vest, it largely removes the risk of puncture,
etc., and it is a large capital cost, so given this, why are centers who have
invested the capital cost and the training only doing large 1 to 2 procedures
per week even after the irrigated catheter capacity is in place?
It does not compute with me. Why would not procedures be taking off? Is
it because there are not enough complex procedures coming in the door justifying
a Niobe as the tool of choice? Or are they just being really particular on when
they decide to utilize the Niobe?
If the former, then that is a matter of a paradigm shift in treatment
options that primary physicians make in their referral pattern and drug use
pattern. If the former, then why are they being so particular?
I don't know. These are the sort of questions I would ask an expert
witness to explain. But this issue has had me baffled for a few quarters. I
mean 1 procedure a day would not seem to be out of the question but they are
doing 1 or 2 a week despite having this expensive and elegant tool at their
disposal.
Thanks for any input that people may have.
Just like with ISRG, procedures will lead to sales. That is the leading
indicator. Tracking sales of Niobe are great, but it is utilization that is the
real indicator of STXS's future with the Niobe. So to me this is the real core
question as to why utilization is really 1 to 2 a week, maybe moving to 3. I
mean if Natale is using Niobe for practically everything (I believe I read the
Hedge had information to that effect) then why are not others following suit and
really putting the Niobe to use?
Tinker
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