Philips Simplifies Cardiology Care With Technologies That Span the Entire Spectrum of Patient Care

ATLANTA, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- At this year's annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), March 14-16 in Atlanta, Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) will showcase its commitment to simplifying cardiology patient care by highlighting a range of technology advancements.  These care innovations span diagnostic and imaging tools, intuitive information management systems, new temperature modulation therapies, solutions that bolster minimally invasive procedures and home healthcare technologies.  

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"To cope with the growing demand for healthcare, healthcare productivity must rise.  For cardiology, that means focusing on the entire scope of diagnosing, treating and managing cardiac disease, rather than isolated silos of technology," said Joris van den Hurk, vice president of Cardiology Care Cycles for Philips Healthcare.  "Philips portfolio of advanced solutions on display at ACC reinforces our focus on the cardiology care challenges faced by both physicians and patients.  Philips offers innovative healthcare technologies, inspired by customer insights, to simplify life for cardiac patients."  

Philips focus on the full spectrum of cardiology care – from diagnosis and treatment to home monitoring – to enhance patient care, includes:  

Timely Diagnosis and Decisions

Philips offers cardiac diagnostics and imaging tools for timely triage, decision-making and treatment planning.  This variety of innovative solutions allows clinicians to assess and diagnose cardiac conditions ranging from coronary artery disease to congestive heart failure to cardiac arrhythmias.

PageWriter TC70

This state-of-the-art cardiograph features the exclusive DXL 16-lead ECG algorithm.  Additionally, it includes advanced ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) decision-support tools, as well as updated gender, age, and lead-specific STEMI criteria that meet the latest AHA/ACC/HRS recommendations for acute ischemia and infarction.

"We are using right chest and posterior leads and see true patient benefits by diagnosing a hidden MI that we may not have picked up with a 12-lead ECG," said Debbie Heinecke, R.N., manager of Non-Invasive Cardiology at Blessing Hospital Quincy, Illinois. 

The TC70 provides access to additional information that can speed analysis and triage for any patient experiencing acute infarction and ischemia symptoms.  Its 1-2-3 operation lets clinicians perform ECGs quickly.

Imaging and Information Management Solutions

Philips' imaging and cardiology informatics management solutions play a key role in helping to quickly diagnose and manage coronary artery disease and heart failure.  Some of the featured solutions at this year's ACC include:

• CX50, Philips compact portable ultrasound that delivers premium performance outside the echocardiography (echo) lab
• microTEE, a transducer which is roughly one-third the size of previous pediatric TEE transducers, provides images during interventional procedures 
• Brilliance CT portfolio's Coronary Plaque Analysis application, the newest software application available, which enables clinicians to gain a better understanding of the distribution and composition of plaque inside coronary vessels  
• CVIS (Cardiovascular Information Management System), a solution that enables clinicians and departments to collect and aggregate cardiac care data
• QLAB with Xcelera image management system, which supports quantitative workflow allowing parametric display and extensive quantification of 2D and 3D echo data

Discovery to Treatment  

InnerCool  

Philips is the first and only company to offer both endovascular and surface cooling and warming systems with the InnerCool family of products to address the specific needs of patients, hospitals, and clinical practices.  Backed by more than 10 years of research, demonstrating performance in multiple clinical settings and applications, Philips is leading the way in advanced temperature modulation therapy with comprehensive, science-driven solutions.

The Philips InnerCool RTx Endovascular System for cooling and warming provides advanced whole body temperature modulation therapy in a closed-loop system from the inside out.  The Philips InnerCool STx Surface Pad System for cooling and warming provides a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution with an advanced pad design for non-invasive temperature modulation therapy.  

Minimally Invasive Interventions

Hybrid OR

Philips Healthcare partnered with the ACC and cath lab/OR vendors to showcase how Hybrid ORs can help supersede cardiology care obstacles and enable collaboration among specialties to treat a wider patient population.  The Hybrid OR suite (ACC booth #2744) features advanced solutions that support the trend toward minimally invasive interventions.  A complex combination of equipment is required in a Hybrid OR -- from high-quality, high-resolution imaging with advanced 3D software to support confident decision-making, to surgical tables, lighting, and more.  The key to the success of a Hybrid OR is its cross-purpose functionality.  All elements for both image guided and conventional procedures must be well integrated and simple to access.  In terms of Hybrid OR installations, Philips and its network of alliances work with customers to customize Hybrid OR suites by using a 3D architectural planning tool that provides prospective customers with a visual rendering of possible room configurations.  All components of Hybrid OR suites are assessed prior to installation.

Home Healthcare

Philips at-home solutions help improve quality of life and clinical outcomes, provide patients easy access to clinical counseling, either directly from clinicians and nurses or via call centers and offer financial advantages for both the care providers and insurers.  Philips unique portfolio of products for home care allows caregivers to manage chronic cardiac patients holistically to address important co-morbidities such as sleep breathing disorders.

Philips Remote Cardiac Services

Philips Remote Cardiac Services extends the reach of the cardiology practice with solutions that help clinicians diagnose arrhythmias, provide long-term remote monitoring of patients with pacemakers and ICDs, and support self testing for patients on anti-coagulation therapies.

Philips Respironics

Philips Respironics offers comprehensive solutions to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients with sleep-disordered breathing.  Clinical studies(1) have shown a link between untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and an increased risk of uncontrolled blood pressure, heart attacks, arrhythmias, and stroke.  Effective treatment of sleep apnea may improve daytime energy as well as reduce the potential risk for these common conditions.

Philips Respironics Alice systems diagnose sleep-disordered breathing in either a patient's home or a sleep center.  Once diagnosed, patients may be prescribed a Philips Respironics System One CPAP or bi-level therapy device.  BiPAP autoSV Advanced is a servo-ventilation device which may be prescribed for patients with more complex sleep apnea, including patients with central apnea or periodic breathing (such as Cheyne-Stokes Reparation).

Please find additional information on new products showcased at ACC by visiting the Philips Healthcare booth, #1343.  Online visitors can visit http://www.philips.com/media or www.philips.com/acc.

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 more than 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of US $32.3 billion in 2009, 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 flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

(1) Somers, et al., Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease; AHA/ACCF Scientific Statement; Circulation 2008;118;1080-1111, Pagel, et al., Obstructive Sleep Apnea; Recognition and management in patient care; Supplement to the Journal of Family Practice 2008; Vol 57, No 8.

SOURCE Philips Healthcare