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CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2006 The diagnostic tools are in place, but the linkage between imaging machines and data management systems needs to be tighter if cardiovascular practices have any hope of keeping up with the ever-growing patient volume, experts at Siemens Medical Solutions said at the American Heart Associations (AHA) Scientific Sessions this week..

According to the AHA, 43.9 million Americans under the age of 65 have one or more types of cardiovascular disease, and survival rates of first episode of CV event are at all-time highs. However, with more patients undergoing diagnostic care more frequently, conventional data management resources need to be updated to manage the images and information of todays leading technologies. Non-integrated workflow and information will ultimately negatively impact the quality of care, as well as increase the costs for patients and practices alike.

The integration of workflow and information is key to the efficiency needed to address the growing demand for Cardiology Services, said Bappa Choudhury, vice president of Segment Management, Global Solutions, Siemens Medical Solutions. Cardiovascular practices can pursue the latest in diagnostic imaging technology, but without a data management system to catch and manage the information produced by this technology, physicians will not achieve the levels of productivity they will need to get the most value out of these investments.

Traditionally, elements of the diagnostic cardiovascular practices have resided in silos the clinician captured the basic images provided by various modalities; a tech would transferred the images to either printed form or on to a computer; and the clinician read and interpreted the results.

However, with patient volume increasing, a premium is put on the time required for data transfer and assessment critical time that could be used to handle the patient influx. Yet the latest innovations in integrated data management are allowing clinicians to save time and money, and improve outcomes for patients in the cardiovascular suite.

Siemens Medical Closing the Gap With Innovative Solutions
Choudhury pointed to an integrated suite of modality and information technology systems showcased by Siemens Medical at the AHA conference as examples of the leading innovations in diagnostic modalities, and the data management systems that are tied to those modalities that are helping to close the gaps between image and information:
Imaging Modalities:

* SOMATOM Definition, the worlds first dual source computed tomography (CT) system is faster than any existing CT technology with 0.33 seconds per rotation electrocardiogram- (ECG) synchronized imaging can be performed with 83-millisecond temporal resolution, independent of the heart rate, resulting in motion-free cardiac images.
* The ACUSON Sequoia ultrasound system with unparalleled imaging performance in a wide range of clinical applications. Its 12.0 release includes new and innovative applications such as the syngo Arterial Health Package which allows evaluation of cardiac risk factors and quantification of cardiovascular age with automated intima-media thickness measurements. In addition, the release features a Mitral Valve Assessment application that allows for a rapid 3D/4D evaluation of mitral valve morphology and pathology.
* c.cam cardiac gamma camera that enhances imaging accuracy and efficiency while delivering a small footprint and improved patient comfort. Its unique reclining chair allows patients to sit back comfortably throughout an entire imaging procedure.
* Hybrid imaging technology, such as Biograph PETCT family with unmatched HI-REZ technology for cardiac assessment. The recently introduced TruePoint PETCT configuration offers the industrys highest spatial resolution for improved diagnostic confidence and more accurate treatment plans.
* In addition, Symbia TruePoint SPECTCT technology, has flexible, scalable system architecture that allows Siemens to offer a variety of models, including multi-slice CT configurations with speeds of up to 0.6 seconds per rotation. This can enable physicians to obtain a functionally accurate, anatomically precise SPECTCT study 20 times faster than other systems on the market.

Software and Image Management

* syngo TWIST, an innovative new technique for 4D magnetic resonance (MR) vascular imaging. This Siemens exclusive technique provides image acquisition at a speed not yet seen with MR technology and is built to permit additional parallel imaging acceleration. TWIST will allow the detailed depiction of vascular structures throughout the body even in regions of higher blood flow. The overall speed of Siemens' exclusive TWIST technique has the potential to replace standard static 3D imaging with the added value of rapid 4D acquisition.
* syngo BEAT, which combines the best of cardiac MRI morphology, function, tissue characterization and 3D coronary anatomy in one simple tool, that enables cardiologists to detect and diagnose cardiovascular disease earlier and offer more treatment options.
* Advanced CT software, such as syngo Circulation, sets a benchmark in cardiac evaluation software for CT. The technology is a dedicated solution for cardiac evaluation offering fast, robust morphological and functional analysis and reporting in one software application. In addition, syngo WebSpace enables doctors to access a patients CT scans online anytime and anywhere, for improved productivity and diagnosis capabilities.
* syngo US Workplace, an unmatched offline ultrasound workstation solution that enables ultrasound image post-processing, re-measurements, and advanced diagnostic application tools. syngo US Workplace provides a framework of connectivity that delivers powerful cardiac-analysis applications, including new exciting applications such as syngo Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI) technology and syngo Auto Ejection Fraction technology. In addition, the syngo fourSight TEE view allows the user to review, manipulate, and display dynamic gated 3D TEE datasets.
* syngo Dynamics is a multi-modality, dynamic image review, diagnosis and archiving system. It enables evidence-based reporting to improve the efficiency of clinical procedures for cardiology. The scalable solution is also applicable for offices, imaging clinics, hospitals and multi-facility enterprise health systems. Optional interfacing to clinical or hospital information systems allows the distribution of results in a variety of formats and helps facilities to create a filmless and paperless environment. Integration into hospital information systems, including study transfer, report upload. DICOM Structured Reporting Integration with third-party ultrasound machines to enable measurement transfer.
* AXIOM Sensis, a premium recording solution for electrophysiology and hemodynamics, delivers excellent signal quality for precise, reliable diagnosis and easily integrates with Siemens angiography systems.
* Interventional Cardiac 3D, or IC3D, can be used with Siemens angiography systems to create three-dimensional images of the coronary vessels in the heart and enables precise bifurcation measurement.
* Tying it all together is Soarian Cardiovascular Enterprise, an industry leading web-based, scalable solution that supports the cardiovascular continuum from diagnosis, to treatment, and follow-up care.

More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.