Availability of Advanced Tools Shifts Doctors' Approach To Cardiology; Siemens Meets the Demand with a Holistic, Integrated Approach Toward Patient Care at ACC 2006.

ATLANTA -- Demonstrating its ability to anticipate and meet the changing needs of healthcare providers and patients, Siemens will show its holistic, integrated approach to cardiac care at the 55th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) from March 11 through 14, 2006 (booth # 3431).

Patients are being diagnosed with cardiac diseases younger than ever before. A January 2006 American Heart Association report indicates 43.9 million Americans under the age of 65 have one or more types of cardiovascular disease. With today's medical technologies, patients are more likely to survive a first episode and could be in a physician's care for decades to come. This evolution is forcing cardiologists - and solutions providers like Siemens - to re-evaluate traditional detection methods and utilize new solutions to diagnose and treat these patients earlier than previously possible.

"The cardiology industry is at a critical point as the new generation of cardiac patients enter the healthcare system, requiring integrated solutions to address their needs," said Tom McCausland, president, Siemens Medical Solutions USA. "Siemens' holistic, integrated approach raises the quality of care for every patient and provides a spectrum of imaging and IT technologies that allow doctors and cardiology departments to maximize their resources and work more efficiently."

This is the foundation to Siemens' approach toward cardiovascular care - offering an integrated plan that incorporates medical technology, information technology (IT), consulting and services to help achieve positive clinical, operational and financial outcomes. For example, the Siemens Integrated Performance Solution (IPS) for Cardiovascular Services provides facilities with expert counsel on how to incorporate the ideal solutions for their specific needs, from changes in administrative or clinical workflow to adoption of a specific technology, and integrating the entire enterprise.

Today, cardiologists have a wealth of resources at their fingertips, explained McCausland. "Medical imaging technologies are capable of looking inside the heart without invasive procedures, IT solutions can deliver information to colleagues across the country for a second opinion, and procedures in the catheterization lab are improving effectiveness. Facility infrastructure and processes also play important roles, with design, flow and connectivity throughout the hospital affecting the efficiency and speed at which a patient is admitted and cared for."

A New View of the Heart

Siemens' cardiology solutions shown at ACC are exceeding the needs of today's healthcare providers by integrating the latest in diagnostic technology, IT innovations and consulting services. Here's how:

--Faster than every beating heart: Siemens is the only company to offer dual source computed tomography (CT) with its SOMATOM(R) Definition, the only CT system that can image the heart without any heart rate limitations and can reduce radiation by up to 50 percent when compared to traditional cardiac CT exams.

--Completing cardiovascular MRI exams in 10 to 30 minutes: Siemens' exclusive Tim(R) (Total imaging matrix) technology transforms cardiac care by combining advanced speed and higher resolution images, making magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a critical tool in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of disease states.

--Identifying heart disease before symptoms appear: Molecular imaging technologies, including the Biograph 64(TM) PET/CT, provide unprecedented image quality with the ability to perform high-resolution CT angiography and myocardial perfusion, viability, and function in one accurately registered exam.

--Increasing flexibility and integration: Angiography and X-ray developments, such as the AXIOM Artis imaging system with 30X40 cm flat detector, set new standards in clinical imaging with unparalleled precision needed for diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures in the cath lab.

--Raising the bar in assessing cardiac function: New ultrasound innovations, including Axius Velocity Vector Imaging(TM) technology, provide more comprehensive cardiac contraction and motion data with the possibility to evaluate patients with congestive heart failure, dyssynchrony, and other myocardial function disorders.

--Creating a true cardiovascular electronic patient record: Comprehensive healthcare IT solutions, such as Soarian(R) Cardiovascular Enterprise, support the cardiovascular care continuum from admission to follow-up. The solution integrates diagnostic image acquisition, image processing, and evidence-based reporting tools from syngo(R) Dynamics with Soarian(R) Cardiology providing a single, longitudinal clinical repository that becomes a true cardiovascular electronic patient record (EPR).

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 33,000 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.

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