The Catharina Hospital, Philips and other partners are today hosting a symposium in Eindhoven titled Evolution in Healthcare, which will feature presentations from leading experts in the healthcare industry to illustrate the crucial role of innovation in the evolution of healthcare. At the symposium, innovations in heart rhythm disorder treatment will be discussed as an example of how technological innovation can improve the life of patients and benefit society.

In late 2011, Philips and Catharina Hospital worked together on building a state-of-the-art electrophysiology (EP) lab for the treatment of heart rhythm disorders. This partnership was followed by a unique social media initiative in the Netherlands focused on Dutch heart patient Ad Langendonk. Starting on January 10, Mr. Langendonk and his cardiologist, Dr Lukas Dekker, used Twitter before, during and after a minimally-invasive intervention during which catheters were used to remedy Mr. Langendonk's heart rhythm disorder. The intervention was successfully performed on January 27, allowing Mr. Langendonk to begin the process of regaining his quality of life.

"The challenge in healthcare is to improve the quality of care while at the same time satisfying increased demand and controlling costs," says Dr Lukas Dekker, cardiologist at the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven. "Innovation is the only means by which we can arrive at sustainable solutions. We need to keep investing in innovation and to that end it is important to increase public awareness of what we are doing. That is why I am so enthusiastic about these initiatives. In this way, people are brought together, ideas are exchanged, be it in person or via the Internet."

"Innovation is an important piece of the healthcare puzzle," says Hans Bossink, General Manager Philips Healthcare Benelux. "Ultimately, healthcare is all about people - the patient and the care provider. We wanted to provide a platform that enables people to experience what innovation means for medical procedures and the impact it has on the delivery of care as well as the clinical outcome."

Heart rhythm disorders are caused by disturbed electrical signals that regulate the heart beat and can lead to serious health risks, including heart failure or stroke. Many heart rhythm disorders, including atrial fibrillation (AF), can be treated using minimally invasive electrophysiology (EP) procedures, carried out in an EP lab. These procedures require advanced image guidance and interventional tools that enable physicians to achieve the optimum clinical outcome, while minimizing adverse events.

In the new EP Lab in the Catharina Hospital, integration of real-time information from various relevant technologies has been realized. Harnessing vital procedural and imaging information from sources such as electrograms, 3D mapping and imaging systems, the lab provides EP team members with the information they need in order to be confident in their decision making. For efficient workflow, the information is presented on one large display that can be controlled from the same keyboard and mouse.

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About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity." Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.6 billion in 2011, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare.