New Smartphone App Launches for Cardiac Imaging Test

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Astellas Pharma US, Inc. ("Astellas") announced the Launch of the Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging application (app) for smartphones. The app is designed to give physicians access to published criteria used to assess the need for a patient to have cardiac radionuclide imaging (RNI). The app will be available for free download on the iPhone®, BlackBerry® and Android™ platforms.

The Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging app was adapted from the ACCF/ASNC/ACR/AHA/ASE/SCCT/SCMR/SNM 2009 Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging (RNI) published in 2009 in Circulation. The AUC for RNI describes 67 individual patient indications, eight indication categories, and five algorithms.

The app guides physicians step-by-step through the criteria to evaluate patient history, clinical factors, and other important information to receive an instant appropriate use score for RNI. By entering information, physicians will receive a rating on a scale of 1-9 suggesting if the patient indication is appropriate (7-9), uncertain (4-6), or inappropriate (1-3) for RNI. Ratings can be viewed either by indication/category or patient algorithm.

According to the annual "Taking the Pulse" study of physicians and healthcare technology released in April 2010, 72% of physicians use smartphones personally and professionally, with that number expected to jump to 81% in 2012.

"Astellas recognizes physicians are increasingly using smartphones and apps in the healthcare setting to access information," said Robert C. Hendel, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASNC, and Chair of the Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging Writing Group that developed the 2009 AUC for RNI. "We partnered with them to develop this accurate, timely, assessment tool for use on smartphones and hope this app will promote awareness and use of the AUC for RNI published in 2009," Dr. Hendel continued.

A preview and interactive demonstration of the app will take place tonight in conjunction with ASNC 2010: The 15th Annual Scientific Session of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology in Philadelphia. More information and download instructions can be accessed online at www.astellasapps.com.

Disclaimer

These criteria may provide guidance for clinicians, and are not intended to serve as substitutes for sound clinical judgment and practice experience, nor do they provide information regarding the technical aspects of imaging or delineate training/performance requirements. Additionally, they are not intended to serve as any indication (either approval or denial) of medical insurance coverage for the described tests. The content or material provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice or opinion.

About Astellas

The Astellas culture and brand is committed to building community, helping others, encouraging integrity, and inspiring people to make a difference, today, tomorrow, and every day. Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Deerfield, Illinois, is a US affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organization is committed to becoming a global category leader in focused areas by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities. In the US, Astellas markets products in the areas of Anti-Infectives, Cardiology, Dermatology, Neuroscience, Transplant, and Urology. For more information about Astellas Pharma US, Inc., please visit our Web site at www.astellas.us and follow us on Twitter @AstellasUS.

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SOURCE Astellas Pharma US, Inc.