Breakthrough in Patient and Staff Safety During Cardiac Interventions

Royal Philips ElectronicsRoyal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (Nijmegen, the Netherlands) and Main-Taunus Cardiac Center (Bad Soden, Germany) today announced the results of a clinical study that demonstrate that the safety for patients and clinicians can be significantly enhanced during cardiac interventions. Using Philips' recently introduced AlluraClarity system* with ClarityIQ technology, the doctors of the medical center were, for the first time, able to achieve a 50 percent reduction in X-ray dose while maintaining the excellent image quality needed during image-guided cardiac interventions. The results will be presented during the annual congress of the European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EuroPCR), 21 - 24 May in Paris.

The clinical study was designed by Main-Taunus Cardiac Center and conducted at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre between September and November 2012 involving 39 patients with a BMI range of 20 - 37. During the study, two coronary angiography scans of the same patient were compared: for the first scan conventional interventional X-ray technology was used, while for the second scan Philips' ClarityIQ technology was used. Six independent interventional cardiologists from across Europe (Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden) then evaluated the image quality of these scans, and concluded that compared to conventional X-ray technology, AlluraClarity provided equivalent image quality at 50 percent less X-ray dose.

"We have extensively explored and tested this new technology at our cardiac center," said Prof. Dr. med. N. Reifart, co-author of the study and Director of the Main-Taunus Cardiac Center, Private Clinic Bad Soden. "It now enables us to perform most diagnostic angiographies with at least 50 percent lower radiation levels, equivalent to less than 1 mSv, with similar image quality as in the past."

"Such a significant reduction in X-ray dose benefits both patients and the staff managing their care," said Dr. T.J.F ten Cate, the cardiologist at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and responsible for conducting the study. "Now that we are using AlluraClarity, we have become much more conscious about X-ray radiation dose."

The study results represent an important milestone for Philips, showcasing how complex interventional procedures can be performed with a significant reduction in X-ray dose. Last year, Philips announced that it had achieved a breakthrough with the same X-ray technology in endovascular procedures, in collaboration with the St. Antonius Hospital Utrecht/Nieuwegein (the Netherlands), a renowned center of expertise in the field of heart and vascular interventions. A study conducted at the Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden) in the field of neuroradiology demonstrated that AlluraClarity provides equivalent image quality at 73 percent less dose. Additional studies in the field of neuroradiology and electrophysiology are ongoing, with results expected later this year.

"Because of the intrinsic benefits for patients and care providers, there is a clear shift in healthcare from open surgery to minimally-invasive treatments," commented Ronald Tabaksblat, General Manager, Philips Interventional X-Ray. "Live X-ray guidance is typically being used to perform such minimally invasive treatments. Our ClarityIQ technology significantly reduces the X-ray exposure required to produce high quality images, demonstrating that Philips is truly leading the way in improving the delivery of healthcare."

Since its commercial introduction mid-2012, Philips has sold more than 200 AlluraClarity systems in regions such as Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

Visit Philips at EuroPCR 2013 at booth #M41 to learn more about this clinical study or to speak with a Philips representative. Dr. T.J.F ten Cate will be giving a presentation at EuroPCR titled: 'Automated image enhancement significantly reduces radiation dosage in coronary angiography with preserved image quality' on Thursday, May 23, 10:57 – 11:05 a.m., in room 241.

Also showcasing at EuroPCR is Philips' new EchoNavigator live image guidance tool and Allura Centron, an addition to the Allura family of interventional solutions. It is a high performance multi-purpose interventional X-ray system for routine procedures.

* Philips AlluraClarity is currently not available for sale in USA, 510(k) pending

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics (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.

Most Popular Now

New Algorithm can Predict Diabetic Kidne…

Researchers from Sanford Burnham Prebys and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have developed a computational approach to predict whether a person with type 2 diabetes will develop kidney disease...

AI could Improve Heart Attack Diagnosis …

An algorithm developed using artificial intelligence (AI) could soon be used by doctors to diagnose heart attacks with better speed and accuracy than ever before, according to new research from...

AI Voice Coach Shows Promise in Depressi…

Artificial intelligence (AI) could be a useful tool in mental health treatment, according to the results of a new pilot study led by University of Illinois Chicago researchers. The study...

ChatGPT Passes Radiology Board Exam

The latest version of ChatGPT passed a radiology board-style exam, highlighting the potential of large language models but also revealing limitations that hinder reliability, according to two new research studies...

Scientists develop AI tool to predict Pa…

Scientists from UNSW Sydney with collaborators at Boston University have developed a tool that shows early promise in detecting Parkinson’s disease years before the first symptoms start appearing. In research published...

Better than Humans: AI in Intensive Care…

In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) will play an important role in medicine. In diagnostics, successful tests have already been performed: for example, the computer can learn to categorise images...

Could Online Gaming Social Networks Have…

For millions of Americans playing some type of video game is a daily occurrence. Games can be a welcome form of entertainment and relaxation for many, and the internet can...

Siemens Healthineers Opens State-of-the-…

Siemens Healthineers has opened its new Education & Development Center (EDC) in Erlangen. The open-plan building offers space for the currently 240 trainees and integrated degree program participants in Erlangen...

Siemens Healthineers Invests 80 Million …

Siemens Healthineers is building a new factory in Forchheim for the cultivation of crystals for semiconductor production. The total investment amounts to 80 million euros. The new factory is expected...

Orion Health Welcomes New Sales Director…

Orion Health has appointed a new sales director for Scotland. Gabriel Radford, who has a background in business development for companies working with health, social care, and local government, will...

AI Tool Outperforms Human Emergency Call…

A team of researchers from Denmark have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) framework to address the number of strokes that go unrecognised by human emergency call handlers.(1) The framework...

Scientists Use AI to Find Promising New …

Scientists at McMaster University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have used artificial intelligence (AI) to discover a new antibiotic which could be used to fight a deadly, drug-resistant pathogen...