On January 17, 2012, Philips Healthcare showcased its newest advanced innovation in imaging integration for electrophysiologists. The company introduced the EP Navigator at the Boston Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Symposium 2013.

This new navigator provides doctors with a novel approach to 3D rotational angiography that will help give them “real-time anatomical details of cardiac LA-PV structures with significantly enhanced workflow.” Philips is also planning on providing integration of its Allura X-ray images with the CARTOALARA Module of Biosense Webster’s CARTO 3 Electroanatomical Mapping System. This is said to be able to heighten the amount of detail that electrophysiologists will use during catheter ablation procedures.

This could represent a groundbreaking advancement for medical staff who are working with catheter ablations because, in being able to receive the best anatomical detail during the procedure, doctors will be able to guide the catheters through the heart while it is still beating. This can make the procedures safer for the patient as well as easing some of the tension of potential error from the medical staff.

“By using the EP navigator with 3D rotational scan, my patients and team gain several benefits,” says Dr. Vivek Reddy, Boston AF course co-director and Director, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, the Mount Sinai Medical Center. “Firstly, rotational angiography is getting better and better, to the point where we don’t have any issues in getting good quality pictures, so it allows us to optimize workflow. I can now take a rotational image, make a 3D rendering of it and project it on to the X-ray, so that as we manipulate the catheters on X-ray, the shadows tell us where the catheter is relative to the left atrium.”

Atrial fibrillation is a condition that is caused by patients suffering from irregular heartbeats and flutters. Doctors look to use catheter ablations as an alternative to prescribing too much medication, which can often have potentially fatal consequences. One of those medications is Multaq. Multaq has been linked to serious conditions including liver failure and a worsening of the heart condition. Most recently, the drug has been linked to lung disease and pulmonary toxicity as well.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with liver failure, lung disease, pulmonary toxicity or a worsening of your heart condition after taking Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones for a free consultation today. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to get you money for your injuries.