BOSTON--May 17, 2006--Electrophysiology (EP) is the fastest growing of all cardiovascular disciplines, as roughly 550,000 new patients are diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias in the United States each year.(1) Demonstrating its ability to meet the evolving needs of today's electrophysiologists, Siemens Medical Solutions showcased its comprehensive portfolio of EP solutions at the recent Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) meeting in Boston. The company also highlighted ultrasound applications for the assessment of patients with congestive heart failure and a new 3D solution for atrial fibrillation.

"Cardiac arrhythmias are being diagnosed at increasing rates," said Kelly Feist, senior director, Cardiology Global Solutions, Siemens Medical Solutions. "Now more than ever before, electrophysiologists need efficient and effective solutions to diagnose and treat arrhythmic heart disease earlier, while driving down costs. By providing one of the industry's widest product offerings of EP solutions, Siemens arms electrophysiologists with the tools and information necessary to improve patient and clinical outcomes."

Ultrasound Applications Enable Assessment of Heart Failure

Siemens will showcase complete solutions for the assessment of heart failure patients and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) candidates with dynamic cardiovascular assessment methods that dramatically speed up clinical workflow. At Heart Rhythm 2006, the company highlighted its suite of echocardiography tools for electrophysiology, including the new automated left ventricular quantification package.

For the first time, electrophysiologists not only have Doppler-based assessment tools for evaluating heart failure patients and synchronization of heart contraction using the Axius(TM) Quantification Synchronization Tools (QST), but also the ability to assess left ventricular dynamics in patients with heart failure using Axius Velocity Vector Imaging(TM) (VVI) technology. As a result, new insight into ventricular mechanics with quantitative echocardiography helps physicians assess patients as candidates for CRT, therefore significantly improving heart failure treatment. The suite of electrophysiology applications is available on all Siemens' transthoracic (TTE), transesophageal (TEE) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) transducers. Another highlight on the ACUSON Sequoia platform is the new Axius Auto Ejection Fraction(TM) measurement tool. Using expert system design, the technology allows automated, rapid and reliable measurements of cardiac ejection fraction, thus providing a new level of accuracy in cardiac quantification.

3D in EP Helps Improve Ablation

Siemens also will debut syngo(R) InSpace EP as part of its comprehensive portfolio of EP solutions. This software application integrates pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance 3D data sets to quickly segment a view of the heart's left atrium. With "one-click" segmentation of the left atrium and pulmonary veins, syngo InSpace EP can speed up exam times, helping to improve treatment planning, therapy and follow-up for ablation interventions.

Proven Solutions Round out EP Portfolio

In addition to syngo InSpace EP and new ultrasound applications, visitors to the Siemens booth can see the company's magnetic navigation technologies, uniquely capable of improving the ease and accuracy of catheter-based procedures to facilitate increased efficiency and productivity. A pioneer in the field of magnetic navigation, Siemens now has more than 30 magnetic navigation systems installed. Its AXIOM Artis dBC Magnetic Navigation System(TM) is the only magnetic navigation system in the industry with a biplane flat panel detector. Enabling improved flexibility in cardiovascular procedures, it can be used as either a biplane or a single plane magnetic navigation system depending on clinical preference.

To provide a complete EP solution, Siemens' magnetic navigation systems can work in conjunction with the AXIOM Sensis EP recording system. Clearly and concisely providing accurate calculations of data obtained during catheterizations, AXIOM Sensis offers exceptional signal quality, integration and high fidelity reporting capabilities.

Also highlighted at the show was syngo Dynamics. A multi-modality, dynamic image review, diagnosis and archiving system, syngo Dynamics enables evidence-based reporting to help improve the efficiency of clinical procedures for cardiology. The solution is scalable for imaging clinics, hospitals and multi-facility health enterprises and features optional interfacing to clinical or hospital information systems.

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.

(1) Statistics provided by the Heart Rhythm Foundation and American College of Cardiology