Dual-Axis Rotational Coronary Angiography Used To Reduce X-ray and Contrast Medium Dosage

A dual-axis rotational coronary angiography system's fully automated C-arm operates on two axes simultaneously, enabling it to swing in a three-dimensional arc around the patient, providing a flexibility of movement that allows it to capture the required coronary images in fewer runs.

At the European Society of Cardiology, held September 2008 in Munich, Germany, Philips Healthcare (Best, The Netherlands) presented its latest development in coronary angiography: XperSwing dual-axis rotational functionality. In a recent study, XperSwing allowed a reduction in the number of X-ray runs, total radiation exposure, and contrast medium dose.

In conventional, two-dimensional angiography, the C arm can only move from side to side or up and down but not in both directions simultaneously--the operator needs to position it before taking each image, like framing a photograph before pressing the shutter--consequently, obtaining the necessary diagnostic information involves taking a large number of static views.

In an initial study evaluating the XperSwing system, 26 patients were randomized to either XperSwing or conventional non-rotational angiography. In the study, conventional exams averaged 9.1 runs compared with 3.5 for the XperSwing exams. On average, the XperSwing patients were subjected to 18% less contrast dye and half the radiation dose. There was no significant difference in procedure time between the two approaches.

"As a pioneer and leader in the field of interventional cardiology, we are delighted to showcase XperSwing,” commented Bert van Meurs, senior vice president of Cardiovascular X-ray at Philips Healthcare. "Developed with the help of our medical partners, XperSwing is a great example of the merger of clinical expertise and technological excellence to develop meaningful and relevant innovations.”

Philips developed XperSwing in collaboration with Dr. John Carroll, head of cardiology at the University of Colorado (Denver, USA) and Dr. Philippe Guyon, interventional cardiologist at the Centre Cardiologique du Nord (Saint-Denis, France). Clinical evaluation of the XperSwing system is currently taking place at four centers in Europe. Philips plans to incorporate its XperSwing functionality in a near-future release of its flat detector (FD) systems.

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