For the first time, live three-dimensional (3D) technology has been transitioned into a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) probe, enabling cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiac interventionalists, and echocardiographers to view new depths of data with a new transesophageal transducer.

Philips Medical Systems (Best, The Netherlands) demonstrated its new Live 3D TEE probe, the X7-2t, at the 18th annual American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) scientific sessions in Seattle, WA, USA. Since 2002, Philips’ Live 3D Echo has been providing new and additional data to cardiologists to aid in diagnosis and planning.

Available soon on the iE33 system, Live 3D TEE is the result of combining and miniaturizing two cutting-edge technologies. With the 3D power of xMatrix technology and the excellent image clarity of PureWave crystal technology in one transducer, new views of cardiac structure, pathology, and function can be appreciated for the first-time. These views provide additional information for diagnoses, treatment planning, monitoring, and assessing during procedures and follow-up.

In addition, Live 3D TEE imaging provides more perspectives of the heart, including the surgeon’s view--a perspective of the mitral valve from the left atrium as well as from the left ventricle. The 3D heart is displayed in motion, in real time. This fast and easy real-time 3D image display reduces the need to reconstruct pathology from multiple 2D views.

When patients present with shortness of breath and are difficult to image in a transthoracic exam, TEE is frequently chosen as the next step. The system delivers exceptional image quality, accurately depicting cardiac structure, pathology, and function, which allow cardiologists to confidently diagnose and plan treatment. The system provides on-the-spot assessment, and there may be no need for additional exams or tests.

Surgeons and anesthesiologists can see the complete mitral valve from multiple perspectives while it’s functioning with Live 3D TEE. A comprehensive plan can be in place before the first incision. Live 3D TEE images enable assessment of valvular function--views not available once surgery begins. During surgery, anesthesiologists easily monitor patients, perform analysis for surgeons, such as quantify the mitral valve with new and objective data, and assess procedure outcomes to determine if fully resolved. If needed, further repairs can be done immediately before completing the procedure.

Interventional cardiologists have more information for procedures--such as device implantation, closing atrial septal defects (ASDs) and patient foremen ovales (PFOs)--with Live 3D TEE, as well as improved visualization during guided procedures.

QLAB quantification with Live 3D TEE provides both left ventricular wall motion analysis that is essential for echocardiographers, and all new 3D mitral valve quantification for precise information. With 3D mitral valve quantification, clinicians have mitral measurements that are simply not possible with 2D techniques.

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