05/22/06
Electrophysiology (EP) is the fastest growing of all cardiovascular disciplines, as roughly 550,000 new patients are diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias in the United States each year. Demonstrating its ability to meet the evolving needs of today’s electrophysiologists, Siemens Medical Solutions showcased its comprehensive portfolio of EP solutions at the 27th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), May 17-20, in Boston.
For the first time, electrophysiologists not only have Doppler-based assessment tools for evaluating heart failure patients and synchronization of heart contraction using the Axius™ Quantification Synchronization Tools (QST), but also the ability to assess left ventricular dynamics in patients with heart failure using Axius Velocity Vector Imaging(TM) (VVI) technology. As a result, new insight into ventricular mechanics with quantitative echocardiography helps physicians assess patients as candidates for CRT, therefore significantly improving heart failure treatment. The suite of electrophysiology applications is available on all Siemens’ transthoracic (TTE), transesophageal (TEE) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) transducers. Another highlight on the ACUSON Sequoia platform is the new Axius Auto Ejection Fraction™ measurement tool. Using expert system design, the technology allows automated, rapid and reliable measurements of cardiac ejection fraction, thus providing a new level of accuracy in cardiac quantification.
Siemens also debuted syngo® InSpace EP as part of its portfolio of EP solutions. The software application integrates pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance 3D data sets to quickly segment a view of the heart’s left atrium.