Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG) announced today that it treated the first patient with its real-time, 3D intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter.
Dr. Mohamad Adnan Alkhouli performed a left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure with Philips’ VeriSight Pro platform at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
The real-time 3D Philips intracardiac echocardiography catheter, when combined with Philips’ premium cardiology ultrasound system (EPIQ CVx), offers 2D and 3D live image guidance for a wide range of procedures for structural heart disease and electrophysiology, according to a news release.
VeriSight Pro uses the same ultrasound technology used in standard live ultrasound imaging for heart disease and electrophysiology but miniaturized to fit on the tip of a 1.98 mm-diameter catheter that can be navigated to the patient’s heart through their vasculature. The procedure does not require general anesthesia.
The platform is available on a limited basis in the U.S.
“Securing the best-possible live images enables interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists to boost procedure confidence and deliver optimum outcomes for more patients,” Philips SVP & GM of image-guided therapy devices Chris Landon said in the release. “The exceptional 2D and 3D imaging capabilities of Philips’ intracardiac echocardiology catheter – VeriSight Pro – make it a superb choice for image guidance in interventional procedures, reducing reliance on general anesthesia and the logistical hurdles that go with it.”
