Siemens portfolio of cardiology applications covers the entire spectrum - from medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, IT and customized support offerings ORLANDO, Fla., March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens Healthcare (http://www.usa.siemens.com/healthcare) demonstrates its commitment to excellence "From Prevention to Follow-up" at the 58th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), March 29-31 in Orlando, Fla., in booth #1842. Siemens comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge technologies and solutions ensure excellence in prevention, early detection, acute-care, and follow-up of cardiovascular disease by bringing together medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, cardiovascular information technology (IT) solutions, workflow, and customized support offerings. "Siemens is committed to cardiovascular solutions designed to provide trendsetting and innovative technology with flexible configurations to meet the needs of our customers," said Thomas Miller, chief executive officer, Workflow & Solutions Division, Siemens Healthcare. "No other company can offer such an extensive portfolio covering the full spectrum of cardiovascular care from prevention, early diagnosis, intervention, to follow-up. And, with our focus on automating workflows for cardiology best practice standards of care, we will be delivering even more innovation to our customers - innovation that can make a difference in the quality of care and outcomes, while ensuring maximum effective use of our systems." Continuing on the success of last year's booth presentations, Siemens will once again have its customers present short case studies to conference attendees on Siemens' commitment to excellence in the cardiology arena. Topics will cover Siemens entire portfolio, from medical imaging and IT to lab diagnostics and customer solutions. Presentation will be held in the dedicated theatre area of the Siemens booth (#1842) throughout each day on March 29-31. A complete schedule of customer presentations will be posted in the Siemens booth, as well as listed at http://www.usa.siemens.com/acc. At ACC 2009, Siemens will also display its full spectrum of cardiovascular solutions, including: Interventional Cardiology Siemens highlights imaging excellence and workflow enhancements for cardiology with the ultimate hybrid, the first-to-market Artis zeego(R) with small detector(1), which enables cardiologists to work with great efficiency and precision. The Artis zeego is part of the Artis zee(R) family of interventional imaging in cardiology, radiology, and surgery. In addition, the Artis zee medical grade large display(1) features a full-color, 56-inch screen the large display enables users to select their preferred screen layout for the planned procedure step at tableside. With its 8 megapixel image resolution (3840 X 2160 pixels), up to 12 different screen combinations to choose from directly at tableside, and more than 200 layout configurations at setup, screen data can be organized and viewed virtually any way. The Artis zee systems also now integrate IZ3D(1), a new online quantitative measurement tool which provides high-speed quantification for accurate lesion measurement by generating a 3D model of a vessel that can be rotated freely in space with no foreshortening effects, enabling physicians to precisely assess a lesion's diameter profile and the degree of stenosis. Cardiovascular CT Siemens demonstrates the fastest speed and lowest dose for cardiac applications with the SOMATOM(R) Definition Flash dual source computed tomography (CT) scanner. The SOMATOM Definition Flash requires only a fraction of the radiation dose that systems previously required to scan even the tiniest anatomical details faster than ever before. Scanning the thorax, including the heart, can be done in only 0.6 seconds, taking the burden of breath-holding off the patient and allowing functional imaging for body regions up to 48 cm. Temporal resolution of 75 ms and scan speed of up to 43 cm/s make heart-scanning without beta-blockers possible and, for the first time, breath-hold optional with dose levels below 1 millisievert (mSv). In addition, Dual Source CT helps to avoid the high-dose needs of multi-segment reconstruction caused by imaging every position of the heart multiple times. Because SOMATOM Definition adapts the table speed according to the heart rate of the patient, cardiac dose is automatically reduced as heart rate increases. Cardiovascular In-Vitro Diagnostics Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics will highlight its cardiac-specific c-reactive protein (hsCRP) test. The company was the first in the industry to introduce an hsCRP test cleared by the FDA with the cardiac-specific claim, allowing its use as a predictor of risk for cardiovascular disease. With the launch of this test on its ADVIA(R) chemistry systems, Siemens extends use of a cardiac-specific hsCRP test across six leading-brand instrument platforms. Siemens' cardiac-specific hsCRP test is now available across multiple platforms including the BN nephelometry systems, Dimension(R) and Dimension Vista(R) integrated systems, the Stratus(R) CS Acute Care(TM) Diagnostic System, ADVIA chemistry systems and the IMMULITE(R) immunoassay systems. Siemens will offer educational materials about the cardiac utility of the hsCRP test in the booth, as well as on-site blood draws will also be offered for hsCRP testing in the Siemens' booth. Cardiovascular Information Technology Solutions Siemens is further developing syngo(R) Dynamics to help improve efficiency of clinical procedures in the fields of cardiovascular imaging, vascular ultrasound, general imaging and OB/GYN. syngo Dynamics is a comprehensive multi-modality diagnostic image review and evidenced-based reporting system incorporating decades of Siemens experience in both clinical and administrative workflows. The solution focuses on dynamic image clip review and reporting for ultrasound and cardiovascular imaging modalities. The upcoming new version 8.0(2) includes the following features: -- Scheduling option to allow better resource management in the Cath or Echo lab -- Tool to generate administrative reporting of key performance indicators -- Re-designed remote viewing application(3) providing the same look and feel of the workplace to support high performance in low-bandwidth settings This new version extends from the current version 7.0 which offers immediate data transfer between Siemens AXIOM Sensis XP hemodynamics monitoring systems and syngo Dynamics reporting and image management solution. Cardiovascular MR Siemens offers Inline VF (Ventricular Function) - the first fully automatic software module for cardiac function analysis with MRI. This powerful module is used to analyze cardiac image data immediately after acquisition and without user interference. Up to now, the image data had to first be transferred to a post-processing computer for manual processing. Inline VF provides the physician with very fast access to highly reproducible results of the functional analysis. Siemens has also developed Argus 4D VF for four-dimensional visualization of cardiac function. This software enables the visualization and analysis of heart function disorders through the dynamic volume display of the beating heart. With this flexible tool, the cardiac function can be calculated from almost any combination of short-axis and long-axis images. As a new and unique feature, the mitral valve motion is included in the analysis. Thus, compared to conventional approaches, Argus 4D VF allows function analyses with significantly higher accuracy. Molecular Imaging Solutions for Cardiology Siemens highlights its portfolio of state-of-the-art, award-winning Symbia(R) SPECT and SPECT-CT scanners. A new generation of HD detector, the Symbia TruePoint platform of imagers offers best-in-class performance and reliability. Siemens will also highlight its recently FDA-cleared IQ-SPECT, Siemens newest Symbia feature that enables a comprehensive cardiac evaluation including perfusion, attenuation correction and calcium scoring in just five minutes. Also highlighted in the Siemens booth is c.cam(R), a first-of-its-kind product, featuring the most comfortable chair, the most appealing colors and state-of-the-art SPECT technology to bring together the most innovative nuclear cardiology system. The Biograph(TM) family of PET-CT imagers now offers options in TruePoint PET-CT for 6-, 16-, 40- and 64-slice CT configurations, as well as the Biograph mCT technology platform with 40-, 64- and 128-CT slice capabilities. The expanding Biograph family of imagers continues to be a comprehensive portfolio of solutions with upgrade possibilities and non-obsolescence protection. The new Biograph 16-slice PET-CT system is also mobile-ready, equipped to maximize on-location patient throughput with fast, 10-minute imaging. Cardiovascular Ultrasound The ACUSON SC2000(TM) volume imaging ultrasound system is the first and only echocardiography system worldwide that delivers non-stitched, real-time full volume imaging of the heart in one single heart cycle. Called Echo in a Heartbeat(TM), this technology changes the way echocardiography workflow is practiced today: Automatical extraction of reference planes for measurement, analysis, and interpretation from continuous cardiac volume imaging. This paradigm shift streamlines workflow efficiency and automation to increase diagnostic confidence. Migrated over from existing premium ACUSON Sequoia(TM) technology, the 4V1c transducer allows vector imaging for an extended field of view increasing the application versatility of the ACUSON SC2000 system in adult cardiology. Siemens will also be featuring the Plus Option for its ACUSON X300(TM) ultrasound system, premium edition. Beamforming enhancements dramatically improve image quality, penetration and sensitivity for high density transducers. The new P9-4 pediatric probe enables high resolution, multi-frequency phased array imaging for increased penetration and higher frequency imaging of pediatric patients. Its user-selectable MultiHertz(TM) multiple frequency imaging expands clinical versatility, while the unique design improves patient and operator comfort at the same time. In its new release, the 2.0 release(4) of the ACUSON P50 ultrasound system offers intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) imaging for the 8F or 10F ACUSON AcuNav(TM) ultrasound catheter provides electrophysiologists and interventional cardiologists with high-quality, real-time diagnostic ultrasound images and Doppler blood flow information from within the heart. "Now, as our customers face a downturned economy and a rapidly evolving cardiology environment, serving as a partner is of even greater significance. We are working with our customers to plan and provide solutions that support their strategic and operational goals, while building a competitive advantage," added Thomas Miller. "Siemens is dedicated to being a true partner - building long-term partnerships to help our customers deliver superior care throughout the cardiology continuum." The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs around 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euro 11.2 billion, orders of euro 11.8 billion, and Sector profit of euro 1.2 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare. (1)The information about this product is being provided for planning purposes. The product requires 510(k) review and is not yet commercially available in the U.S. (2)The information about this product is being provided for planning purposes. The product is not yet commercially available. (3)Reference viewing only. (4)510(k) pending. Not commercially available in the United States. DATASOURCE: Siemens Healthcare CONTACT: Tom Schaffner of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Healthcare Sector, +1-610-448-1477, Web Site: http://www.siemens.com/healthcare

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