Philips Showcases Innovation With new Cardiology Solutions and Provides Pioneering Forum for Expert Dialogue at ESC 2012

MUNICH, August 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

With the introduction of EchoNavigator and other new solutions, Philips paves the way for transformation in cardiovascular disease management

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) will present a range of new and ground-breaking solutions, designed to demonstrate how innovation in patient-centered care is currently helping to transform cardiovascular disease management, during the 2012 Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in Munich.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world's biggest killer, claiming 17.3 million lives a year.^[1] In the European Union, it remains the main cause of death, killing over two million people each year and costing the economy €192 billion annually.^[2]

"Philips is committed to providing pioneering and innovative solutions to the major challenges the world currently faces in the management of cardiovascular disease," commented Eric Silfen, Chief Medical Officer, Philips Healthcare. "This year at ESC, we want to showcase new solutions and systems that will enable clinicians to achieve safer, enhanced patient care and outcomes in some of the most complex disease states and procedures; thereby making a true difference to patients' lives and reducing the significant burden of cardiac disease."  

New product introduction designed to facilitate an integrated approach to treating patients with structural heart disease

This year, Philips will introduce EchoNavigator^[3], which uses a breakthrough technology that provides a new dimension to interventional imaging by combining two live modalities - X-ray and echocardiography - to unite operators and images in an interactive and intuitive way for catheter based Structural Heart Disease (SHD) procedures.

EchoNavigator is developed to address some key challenges faced by clinicians; as well as managing to improve team communication, during complex catheter based SHD procedures. It will enable clinicians to perform the procedure efficiently by providing intelligently integrated X-ray and echo images in one view as well as ease of system navigation, saving valuable time and improving patient care.  

"Dynamics in the cardiology field are changing. ESC provides us with the opportunity to highlight our continued commitment in providing meaningful innovations that can help to address the significant impact cardiovascular disease has across the world," said Bert van Meurs, General Manager Interventional X-Ray Philips Healthcare. "EchoNavigator combines, in a unique way, the strength of Philips in both 3D ultrasound and interventional cath labs. It is intended to facilitate Structural Heart Disease procedures by enhancing procedural confidence and by supporting communications within the Heart team."

Revolutionary imaging solution that reduces the barriers of dose in coronary artery disease interventions

Philips will showcase its new AlluraClarity family^[**], the first X-ray system with the revolutionary ClarityIQ technology. AlluraClarity IQ offers industry-leading image quality, equivalent to the Allura Xper generation, at a fraction of the dose during coronaryographies.

Traditionally, lower radiation dose during interventional X-ray procedures means corresponding lower image quality, which could inhibit clinicians' ability to accurately diagnose and treat patients. The initial clinical trials have shown an average reduction of 50% radiation dose without sacrificing image quality in coronary angiography.^[4] Studies in other types of applications, such as DSA angiography, have shown even further dose reduction of up to 83%.^[5]

These improvements will not only significantly help improve diagnostic effectiveness, but will also ensure that patients and hospital staff will experience fewer complications from radiation exposure.

Cardiology informatics transforms clinical management at every stage of care

The Philips IntelliSpace Cardiovascular, to be previewed in Europe for the first time at ESC 2012, is a new integrated portfolio of software and services designed to help streamline clinical workflow and improve operational performance across the cardiovascular service line.

The streamlined solution addresses clinicians' needs for consistently managing the workflow, including clinical and administrative records for the cardiovascular service line. The solution offers one access point into consolidated patient data, advanced clinical applications, multimodality images and reports through the patient cardiovascular care continuum. The product is not yet available for sale.

Philips hosts Cardiology Leadership Dialogue to lead peer to peer communication

In addition, Philips is welcoming clinicians from around the world to join its unique Cardiology Leadership Dialogue, in the form of nine expert-led clinical roundtable discussions. These discussions will provide a forum and opportunity for clinicians to communicate with many of the most eminent members of the cardiac care community, seeking to address some of the most essential questions in cardiology today. Topics of the discussions will range from improving STEMI and non-STEMI diagnosis and treatment, to the transcatheter treatment of valve diseases.

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^[**] Not available for sale in the U.S.

Visit Philips' ESC 2012 Booth B450, located in Hall 2B at the ICM - International Congress Center, Munich or visit http://www.philips.com/media  

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

References

1. Global atlas on cardiovascular disease prevention and control. World Health Organization. Available on http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/index.html. Accessed August 2012

2.  Cardiovascular disease statistics. European Heart Network. Available on http://www.ehnheart.org/cvd-statistics.html. Accessed August 2012

3. EchoNavigator is anticipated to be CE marked in Q4 2012.

4. A Philips clinical trial study conducted together with Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

5. A Philips clinical trial study conducted together with St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Netherlands

For media inquiries, please contact:
Sabine van Deursen
Philips Healthcare Communications
Tel: +31(0)6-1504-3894
E-mail: sabine.van.deursen@philips.com