New EP Lab Technology Helps Cardiologists Share Monitoring and Mapping Data and Improve Productivity
Bi-directional interface lets clinicians manage cases from a single workstation and deliver comprehensive, accurate EP case reports
NEW ORLEANS – Now cardiologists can perform electrophysiology studies more efficiently from a single workstation that automatically integrates heart monitoring and three-dimensional mapping information.
The CardioLab® IT electrophysiology monitoring system from GE Healthcare includes a bi-directional interface with the CARTO™ XP Navigation and Ablation System. GE Healthcare showcased this new interface at the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans. GE announced in May 2003 that it would market the interface under a strategic alliance with Biosense Webster, Inc. a Johnson & Johnson company, manufacturer of the CARTO XP System.
Until now, clinicians conducting electrophysiology studies had to work with separate and electronically isolated systems for cardiac monitoring and three-dimensional mapping. To review cases, they had to shuttle back and forth between workstations.
The bi-directional interface improves productivity by letting the two systems share information automatically in real time. Clinicians enter all necessary data only once at a single workstation, reducing the potential for data entry errors. Simultaneous control of both systems means cardiologists can view mapping in the complete context of case events, with all waveforms, data and maps synchronized for clinical accuracy.
Clinicians can create comprehensive EP case reports that include events, vital signs, waveforms, ablation parameters, and 3D electroanatomical maps. Simpler patient setup with a single 12-lead ECG using the Quick Connect cable reduces connections, cables and patches, potentially reducing noise and improving signal quality.
Brigham & Women's Hospital is among sites that have used the interface. "It has made work life dramatically easier," said Laurence M. Epstein, M.D., chief of the Arrhythmia Service. "Instead of having two stand-alone systems, we can gather all the data in one place at one time. That is helpful on the clinical front in that we can identify the electrical signals in the CardioLab system and know what we are looking at on the CARTO System at the same time.
"In the past, during procedures, for each tagged site we would have to manually annotate the log to know to which CARTO System point that site correlated. The integrated system now does that automatically, so it greatly decreases the amount of manual input required during the procedure."
Epstein also sees benefits in patient setup and staff productivity. "I estimate that we have cut five to ten minutes off our setup times," he said. "Our lab staff is thrilled about the reduction in wiring, because it’s much easier to connect the patient – it's one set of cables and we're ready to go. When the set-up is simpler, you reduce the potential for problems during the case. It’s an advantage not having to hook up multiple devices. The fewer connections there are, the easier it is to proceed."
“This integration of technology from two industry leaders helps fulfill a need that clinicians had clearly identified. It adds efficiency and accuracy to a time-sensitive diagnostic procedure that is critical to quality heart care," said Robert T. Davis, Jr., general manager of Cardiology Sales and Marketing for GE Healthcare.
About GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare is a $10 billion global leader in medical imaging, point-of-care systems, healthcare services, and information technology. Its offerings include networking and productivity tools, clinical information systems, patient monitoring systems, anesthesia and respiratory care, maternal-infant care systems, surgery and vascular imaging, conventional and digital X-ray, dental imaging, computed tomography, electron beam tomography, magnetic resonance, ultrasound and bone mineral densitometry, positron emission tomography, nuclear medicine, and a comprehensive portfolio of clinical and business services. For more than 100 years, health care providers worldwide have relied on GE Healthcare for high quality medical technology and productivity solutions. For more information, visit the GE Healthcare web site at www.gemedical.com.
CARTO is a trademark of Biosense Webster, Inc.
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