As of January 20th, 2004 the Annotated ECG (aECG) XML Waveform Standard was finalized and formally adopted by the Health Level 7 (HL7) standards organization. HL7's adoption of the aECG XML Waveform Standard was the culmination of an effort initiated in November of 2001 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enable submission of digital aECGs to establish the cardiac safety of new drugs. The final aECG Waveform Standard was authored through an ad hoc group consisting of representatives from sponsor organizations, ECG core laboratories, academic institutions and medical device companies.

With the standard finalized, sponsors and ECG core laboratories are moving quickly forward to implement compliant solutions. As expected, through these implementation activities, several questions regarding the proper utilization of the aECG Waveform Standard have surfaced including:

• What needs to be included in the annotated ECG XML files?

• What file structure needs to be used for individual aECGs?

• What duration requirements are there for the aECGs?

• What vocabulary can be used for the annotations?

• How to ensure proper adherence to the standard?

In order to provide answers to such implementation questions and other related issues, AMPS, LLC and Mortara Instrument, Inc. are organizing a workshop designed for representatives from sponsor organizations and ECG core laboratories who are responsible for compliance with the new aECG XML standard.

This one day workshop will feature presentations from two primary authors of the aECG XML standard, Fabio Badilini of AMPS and Barry Brown of Mortara Instrument. Included in the workshop materials will be a thorough implementation guide for the aECG XML standard. Attendance will be strictly limited to encourage open exchange and discussion between presenters and participants.

Registration fees will be $2,000 per attendee. To reserve space and receive an invitation with complete workshop agenda, please contact:

Wendy Wagner          wendy.wagner@mortara.com

+1 414 354 1600 x405

Be certain to include your company affiliation in your correspondence and we look forward to a productive workshop in September.