By reducing X-ray exposure to both the patient and the electrophysiologist performing the procedure, while maintaining the image quality needed for electrophysiological interventions, Philips' new ClarityIQ X-ray technology will further improve these procedures.
Heart rhythm disorders - so-called arrhythmias - are caused by disturbances in the normal electrical activation of the heart, and can lead to more serious conditions such as heart failure or stroke. Many arrhythmias can be treated using minimally-invasive electrophysiology (EP) procedures, in which catheters are inserted into the patient's heart and sections of heart tissue are ablated to prevent the propagation of abnormal electrical signals in the heart. Interventional X-ray systems are generally used as the standard live imaging technology for guiding such procedures.
"With Philips' ClarityIQ technology we can further enhance image-guided catheter ablation therapy for complex heart rhythm disorders," concludes cardiologist Lukas Dekker of the Heart Center at Catharina Hospital, the largest heart center in the Netherlands. "The number of people with arrhythmias eligible for catheter ablation therapy is increasing sharply, so treating the condition needs to be made simpler and even safer. In addition to minimizing the risk to patients, reducing X-ray dosage is also an important step for medical personnel, because many of them are exposed to X-ray radiation on a daily basis."
More than 6 million people in Europe, 2.6 million people in the US, and 8 million people in China currently suffer from some form of arrhythmia. Over the past 20 years, the number of people admitted to hospital with arrhythmias has increased by 66%, with the total number of patients predicted to double over the next few decades as a result of the ageing population.
During the past decade, catheter ablation of complex arrhythmias has evolved rapidly from an investigational procedure to its current status as a commonly performed ablation procedure in major hospitals throughout the world. Catheter ablation procedures, which are increasing with a double-digit growth rate, continue to become faster and safer as a result of advances in medicine, the establishment of specialist treatment centers such as the Catharina Hospital, and improvements in medical technology.
"Live images are essential during catheter ablation therapy for heart rhythm disorders because of the complex anatomy in the areas of the heart that need to be ablated," says Ronald Tabaksblat, General Manager of Interventional X-ray at Philips Healthcare. "Together with our clinical partners, we have developed the Clarity IQ technology, and overcome the technical hurdle of combining high image quality with low X-ray dose for a broad range of X-ray guided procedures. With the anticipated increase in the number of EP procedures, reducing X-ray dose, while maintaining image quality is very important for both patients and clinicians."
Philips plays a leading role in the field of minimally-invasive interventions with the development of complete cardiac catheterization rooms containing advanced facilities for investigating and treating arrhythmias. Philips has also developed sophisticated tools such as its innovative EP navigator, which produces 3D images of a patient's heart and visualizes the position of the catheters in real time.
Other application areas where Philips' AlluraClarity interventional X-ray system with ClarityIQ technology has been shown to reduce X-ray doses, while maintaining image quality, are coronary angiography procedures (50% X-ray dose reduction) and neurological interventions (73% X-ray dose reduction).
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Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) 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 2012 sales of EUR 24.8 billion and employs approximately 116,000 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 and oral healthcare.