Bringing Exciting New Solutions to Interventional Cardiology at EuroPCR 2024
EuroPCR is one of the world’s leading conferences in the field of interventional cardiology. It attracts around 12,000 healthcare professionals from all over the globe annually. This year, it was held between May 14-17 in Paris, France. Canon Medical Systems played a pivotal role at the event, hosting a successful symposium, which was delivered by experts in the field. VISIONS Special explored how their presentations reflected the meaningful strides Canon Medical Systems is making through innovation in interventional cardiology imaging.
Specialists in cardiac catheterization joined EuroPCR in Paris, France, to explore cutting-edge advancements in this field focused on advanced cardiac catheterization and minimally invasive treatments
From left to right, Dr. Nicolas Amabile, Dr. Lukas Altwegg and Dr. Brian Schuler
The Canon Symposium, entitled "The Future of Interventional Cardiology Imaging", was moderated by Dr. Nicolas Amabile, a renowned Interventional Cardiologist from Institut Cardiovasculaire Paris Sud (ICPS), France, and featured presentations from Dr. Lukas Altwegg, Head of Cardiology at St. Claraspital, Basel, Switzerland, and Dr. Brian Schuler, Head of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at WellSpan York Hospital, York, Pennsylvania, USA. It explored how the future of interventional cardiology will rely on systems that can deliver better images for procedures, while reducing dose and contrast. Potential solutions include Canon’s αEvolve Imaging and Alphenix 4D CT, Angio-CT suite.
From left to right, Dr. Nicolas Amabile, Dr. Lukas Altwegg and Dr. Brian Schuler
Remarkable reduction in dose
Dr. Altwegg introduced αEvolve Imaging, Canon’s unique, Deep Learning technology-based coronary fluoroscopic imaging, along with his actual clinical experience.
“We are currently running a clinical evaluation phase seeking the answers to two major questions: Does this technology improve the overall fluoroscopy image quality and particularly with regard to the visibility of interventional tools, such as guidewires, balloon stents, and so on? Is the AI fluoroscopy image quality sufficient to replace cine runs to a certain extent?” said Dr. Altwegg. “I can tell you, yes!”
During his presentation, Dr. Altwegg also shared compelling clinical images from the use of αEvolve Imaging and highlighted a statistically significant 30% reduction in radiation dose per coronary angiography examination (CAG) that he and his team have achieved after the introduction of Alphenix / Evolve Edition in their hospital.
“We are currently running a clinical evaluation phase seeking the answers to two major questions: Does this technology improve the overall fluoroscopy image quality and particularly with regard to the visibility of interventional tools, such as guidewires, balloon stents, and so on? Is the AI fluoroscopy image quality sufficient to replace cine runs to a certain extent?” said Dr. Altwegg. “I can tell you, yes!”
During his presentation, Dr. Altwegg also shared compelling clinical images from the use of αEvolve Imaging and highlighted a statistically significant 30% reduction in radiation dose per coronary angiography examination (CAG) that he and his team have achieved after the introduction of Alphenix / Evolve Edition in their hospital.
Dr. Lukas Altwegg
“Is the AI fluoroscopy image quality sufficient to replace cine runs to a certain extent?”
Dr. Lukas Altwegg
“I can tell you, yes!”
Head of Cardiology at St. Claraspital, Basel, Switzerland
Dr. Altwegg presented a comparison between cine acquisition (left) and αEvolve Imaging fluoro (right), which achieved a remarkable reduction in radiation dose (74% in this case) while maintaining equivalent image quality
Dr. Altwegg highlighted that αEvolve Imaging helps to reduce the need for cine acquisition, as its fluoro-recording reliably captures essential procedural information such as device morphology, collateral vessels, and calcified lesions, at a level comparable to cine acquisition. He stated that sometimes the fluoro-recording looks even better than conventional cine run.
Developing a new gold standard
Dr. Schuler presented his groundbreaking intraprocedural Angio-CT guided left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure, using Alphenix 4D CT, Canon’s premium hybrid Angio-CT suite.
His innovative approach has significantly minimized the risk of peridevice leak (PDL) with minimal contrast medium and radiation dose. He outlined its potential as a new gold standard in LAAO treatment in near future.
His innovative approach has significantly minimized the risk of peridevice leak (PDL) with minimal contrast medium and radiation dose. He outlined its potential as a new gold standard in LAAO treatment in near future.
Dr. Brian Schuler
Intraprocedural CT enables precise confirmation of device positioning prior to full deployment. In this instance, it detected an imminent leak where PET fabric was not opposed to tissue. This informed the decision to recapture and redeploy the device, ensuring successful treatment without any leakage
“Intraprocedural CT guided left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is the new gold standard. It is the definitive means of validating LAAO, prior to device release, such that, you can change the outcome of the procedure,” he remarked. “It is efficient. It takes six minutes. The patient is on the table. The Fluoro swings out. The CT slides right in. We acquire.
The CT comes back. And we are ‘back in business’.”
“It is minimal radiation and contrast,” he continued. “We are averaging 4.5 mSv and 40 cc of contrast per scan. You can fully characterize the Device- LAA Alignment and Tissue Fabric Apposition. We have single-digit CT validated PDL rates, which offers the potential to reduce the risk of stroke.”
The CT comes back. And we are ‘back in business’.”
“It is minimal radiation and contrast,” he continued. “We are averaging 4.5 mSv and 40 cc of contrast per scan. You can fully characterize the Device- LAA Alignment and Tissue Fabric Apposition. We have single-digit CT validated PDL rates, which offers the potential to reduce the risk of stroke.”
Intraprocedural CT enables precise confirmation of device positioning prior to full deployment. In this instance, it detected an imminent leak where PET fabric was not opposed to tissue. This informed the decision to recapture and redeploy the device, ensuring successful treatment without any leakage
Alphenix Angio-CT
Insights with impact
The symposium generated enthusiastic responses that led to engaged discussions with the audience during the Q&A session, highlighting the impact of the insights shared by Dr. Amabile and the prestigious speakers.
Find out more about EuroPCR 2024 here:
https://www.pcronline.com/Courses/EuroPCR
Learn more about Canon Alphenix Angio-CT System here:
https://global.medical.canon/products/angiography/alphenix/4dct
Explore Canon αEvolve Imaging here:
https://global.medical.canon/products/angiography/alphenix-evolve-edition-intelligent-solutions
