Siemens Healthineers is joining forces with Imricor Medical Systems Inc., Burnsville, Minn., to develop an integrated solution that combines the clinical benefits of real-time MRI scans with 3D-guided cardiac ablation. The companies’ shared goal is the development of MRI-compatible devices that translate information on cardiac conduction, morphological substrates, and individual patient anatomy into better treatment outcomes.
The approach may potentially enable electrophysiologists to treat heart arrhythmia without radiation and to use the visualization of soft tissue information obtained through MRI.
“We are very excited about this development partnership, since it is changing the way we look at ablation and its resulting physiological effects for higher precision and better treatment outcome,” says Philipp Fischer, MD, head of cardiology at Siemens Healthineers.
“We are thrilled to partner with Siemens Healthineers with a goal of delivering comprehensive solutions for MRI-guided ablations,” says Steve Wedan, CEO of Imricor Medical Systems, describing the partnership’s objectives. “Together, we look forward to providing patients and physicians with MRI-compatible devices from Imricor that are fully integrated with Siemens’ iCMR-EP labs around the world. Our shared goal is to unlock the potential of interventional MRI for electrophysiology by providing better, faster, and less expensive treatment options.”
Electrophysiology—especially the interventional therapy of complex arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation (AFib/AF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT)—is one of the fastest growing fields within cardiology. The intervention itself involves inserting a special catheter into the heart to treat a cardiac conduction defect, a complex procedure in which optimum imaging is essential.
“This partnership is planned to help us better translate patients’ individual pathophysiology into personalized treatment approaches,” says Christoph Zindel, MD, senior vice president and general manager of magnetic resonance imaging at Siemens Healthineers. “MRI guidance will not only minimize radiation exposure to patients and EP staff. This technology will enable more detailed insights into the target anatomy and tissue properties, and holds the potential to improve clinical outcomes in arrhythmia therapy. Together with Imricor, we are committed to further developing EP solutions for the benefit of the rising population of arrhythmia patients.”
Imricor’s Advantage-MR EP recorder/stimulator system has received CE mark approval; it is not currently approved for use in the United States.