Siemens Demonstrates New Methods of Cardiovascular Risk Assessment at the American Society of Echocardiography.Siemens Also Showcased the New, All-Purpose ACUSON X300 Ultrasound Platform SEATTLE -- Addressing the evolving needs of echocardiography Echocardiography Definition Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart muscle. Ultrasound waves that rebound or echo off the heart can show the size, shape, and movement of the heart's valves and , Siemens Medical Solutions Siemens Medical Solutions (Siemens Med) is a supplier to the healthcare industry, and is headquartered in Erlangen, Germany. Its U.S. division, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., is a Delaware corporation, with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Ultrasound Division (www.usa.siemens.com/medical) will showcase its comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment solutions at the 18th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Echocardiography The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is a professional organization of physicians, cardiac sonographers, nurses and scientists involved in echocardiography, the use of ultrasound to image the heart and vascular system. (ASE (Adaptive Server Enterprise) A relational DBMS from Sybase that runs on Windows NT/2000, Linux and a variety of Unix platforms. ASE is a comprehensive and robust data management product with a long history dating back to the late 1980s. ), June 16-20, in Seattle. The company's syngo([R]) Arterial Health Package (AHP AHP Assistant House Physician. ) for cardiovascular risk assessment provides semi-automated quantification tools for users that help to assess and visually demonstrate the cardiovascular risk potential of patients using the concept of "Vascular Age." According to the American Heart Association American Heart Association (AHA), n.pr a national voluntary health agency that has the goal of increasing public and medical awareness of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and thereby reducing the number of associated deaths and disabilities. , one in three adults has some form of cardiovascular disease.* Despite increased awareness of standard risk factors (eg, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking), lifestyle changes induced by knowing "Vascular Age" could further prevent a significant number of heart attacks and strokes. Prediction and prevention help people to minimize their cardiovascular risk rather than waiting for symptoms to develop. Patient Education With the syngo AHP application, which is available on the ACUSON Sequoia[TM] C512 echocardiography platform and the new ACUSON X300[TM] all-purpose ultrasound system, users can now perform a vascular age assessment. The technique renders a combined risk score that includes factors such as a measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness, Framingham risk index assessment and comparison with the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC ARIC Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (Study) ARIC Asia Recovery Information Center ARIC Alliance for Rational Intercarrier Compensation ARIC Appliance Recycling Information Center ARIC Acid Rain Information Clearinghouse ) database. syngo AHP combines all of that information to estimate vascular age, enabling physicians to predict a person's risk of coronary heart disease coronary heart disease: see coronary artery disease. coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease Progressive reduction of blood supply to the heart muscle due to narrowing or blocking of a coronary artery (see atherosclerosis). . "Pathological studies have shown that the atherosclerotic burden is quite similar in the carotid and coronary arteries," said John Davidson, senior marketing director for cardiovascular ultrasound at Siemens Medical Solutions, "It helps to measure a person's preclinical risk. At the same time, it also serves as a visual aid to help patients understand the status of their vascular health. And that increasingly proves to be a valuable tool, especially when it comes to making lifestyle changes." The company will also highlight its other innovative risk-assessment tools, such as syngo Auto Ejection Fraction and syngo Velocity Vector Imaging[TM] technology. When combined, these new tools will automate workflow in the most acute environments, such as during cardiac resynchronization therapy and acute coronary syndrome acute coronary syndrome n. A sudden, severe coronary event that mimics a heart attack, such as unstable angina. acute coronary syndrome assessment. Hand-held Ultrasound Siemens Medical Solutions will also be previewing its ACUSON P10 hand-held ultrasound unit at the ASE. The system is intended primarily for triage and screening applications in acute care settings. In the future, personal imaging tools such as this could improve the standard of care for inpatient monitoring, critical care, outpatient specialty visits and bedside exams. About Siemens Medical Solutions Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : SI) is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. 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. Recent acquisitions in the area of in-vitro diagnostics - such as Diagnostic Products Corporation and Bayer Diagnostics - mark a significant milestone for Siemens as it becomes the first full service diagnostics company. Employing more than 41,000 people worldwide and operating in over 130 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 8.23 billion EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. , orders of 9.33 billion EUR and group profit of 1.06 billion EUR for fiscal 2006 (Sept. 30). Further information can be found by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom. *American Heart Association; Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics -- 2006 Update |
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