Anatomical Intelligence Advances Interventional Cardiography

An innovative cardiovascular ultrasound system streamlines communication between the interventional cardiologist and the echocardiographer during complex interventional exams.

The Royal Philips (Philips; Amsterdam, The Netherlands) EPIQ CVxi cardiovascular ultrasound system with Echonavigator is intended to provide high image quality by combining TrueVue, which provides photorealistic, detailed tissue and depth perception imaging through a new virtual light source, and the latest generation OLED monitor, which offers a dynamic, wide viewing angle for side-by-side image comparison. Building on Philips HeartModel anatomical intelligence, the system offers a variety of new features including Dynamic Heart Model, which automatically quantifies left ventricle function.

Dynamic Heart Model has been shown to reduce the amount of time to generate a three-dimensional (3D) ejection fraction, an important measurement in determining how well the heart is pumping out blood. The system also includes the new S9-2 PureWave Transducer, which simplifies pediatric cardiac exams by displaying high levels of detail and contrast resolution through the single-crystal technology. It also provides tissue information at greater depths and enhances pediatric capability for coronary artery visualization in the interventional lab.

Specifically designed for use in the catheterization lab, the EPIQ CVxi with EchoNavigator combines live ultrasound and X-ray information into one intuitive view, helping interventional cardiologists oversee procedures along with the location of key anatomical structures. In addition, a MultiVue feature provides more flexibility when using 3D during diagnostic or interventional procedures, as the clinician can see multiple and flexible views at once.

“As pressures on healthcare systems around the world continue to increase, cardiologists have more patients to examine in less time. By using advanced 3D organ modeling, image slicing, and proven quantification, anatomical intelligence is helping make ultrasound exams easier to perform and more reproducible,” said David Handler, general manager of cardiac ultrasound at Philips. “The EPIQ CVxi is our third-generation integrated ultrasound-angiography cath lab solution for real-time, workflow-optimized image guidance and advanced quantification for structural heart procedures.”

“The EPIQ CVx brings together advanced image quality, quantification and intelligence specifically for the cardiologist,” said Professor Roberto Lang, MD, director of noninvasive cardiac imaging laboratory at the University of Chicago. “I was impressed with the TrueVue feature, which elevates 3D ultrasound imaging to a totally new level and could impact diagnostic ability of echocardiography in different clinical scenarios, like better understanding of the anatomy of mitral valves.”