June 21, 2011 – The Heart Hospital of Austin, a physician-led hospital specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in Austin, Texas, recently adopted the Philips iE33 xMatrix ultrasound system with live 3-D transesophageal echo (TEE). Clinicians wanted better views of heart valves to help them diagnose and treat patients. The system was chosen for use in the hospital’s open-heart valve program.
It is currently being used to perform valve repair surgery, specifically for tricuspid and mitral valve repair procedures. With xMatrix technology, the iE33 supports virtually any cardiac ultrasound exam, including 3-D, 2-D and color flow. Clinicians can switch from 2-D to 3-D imaging at the touch of a button to quickly incorporate volume imaging into routine exams.
“Seeing multiple perspectives of a valve while the heart is beating gives us more information to plan even before the first incision,” said Faraz Kerendi, M.D., cardiac surgeon at Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons. “The visibility the tool provides also allows us to make an assessment after a procedure and to decide if more repairs are needed before closing the chest.”
For more information: www.hearthospitalofaustin.com