Intracardiac Volume Catheter Provides Real-Time Volume Ultrasound Images from Within the Heart

Capable of providing real-time volumetric information from inside the heart, a new volume catheter will improve therapeutic ablation procedures and other electrophysiology (EP) applications facilitating workflow and improving performance in the EP lab.

Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) presented the world's first volume intra-cardiac echocardiography (VICE) catheter, the Acuson AcuNav V ultrasound catheter, in May 2009 at the 2009 scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society in Boston, MA, USA.

"It's like using a flashlight within the human heart,” said Klaus Hambuechen, chief executive officer, ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. "The Acuson AcuNav V catheter provides physicians with high-resolution volumetric ultrasound information about the anatomy and the tools used during EP procedures, reducing the need for fluoroscopic visualization to ultimately improve patient care and increase safety within the EP lab.”

The Acuson AcuNav V volume catheter follows the success of the conventional Acuson AcuNav catheter, which has provided electrophysiologists and interventional cardiologists with quality, real-time diagnostic ultrasound images and Doppler blood flow information from within the heart. Adding the benefits of volume imaging to the technique will greatly improve and simplify the visualization of ablation catheter position, catheter-tissue contact and bubble formation during radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery.

"Not only will device guidance and navigation become easier and more accurate, these tasks can also be performed by one single user,” said Michael Snyder, worldwide cardiology segment manager, ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. "In addition, the use of the Acuson AcuNav V volume catheter only requires patient sedation, which reduces patient stress resulting from general anesthesia procedures.”

The catheter will exclusively be available for use with the new Acuson SC2000 volume imaging ultrasound system. This system provides nonstitched, instantaneous full-volume imaging of the heart in one single heart cycle. In combination with the Acuson AcuNav V volume catheter, it provides a sophisticated volume ultrasound solution increasing diagnostic confidence and improving workflow in interventional cardiology and electrophysiology.

Related Links:
Siemens Healthcare