Leading the way in cardiovascular ultrasound

Cardiovascular ultrasound has played a key role in the evolution of early diagnosis of structural heart disease, led by a technology pioneered by Philips: the ‘transesophageal echocardiography’ (TEE) ultrasound transducer. TEE helps cardiologists by providing highly detailed images of the heart and its internal structures. In structural heart disease, the quality of a 3D TEE image can help save lives. The clarity and perspective that come with 3D images exceed 2D alternatives. TEE is also a valuable tool for minimally invasive heart surgeries and procedures, transforming the treatment of damaged heart valves and congenital heart defects [1].

However, there were some patients who still couldn’t benefit from this advanced technology, including pediatric patients, adults at risk of complications [2], as well as complex cases such as ICU patients [3], where the transducer probe for 3D TEE was too large. Until now. Philips’ new Mini 3D TEE transducer is shifting that balance and opening 3D TEE imaging to previously unaddressed patients [4].

[1] Transesophageal Echocardiography | American Heart Association
[2] Schmidt S, Dieks JK, Quintel M, Moerer O. Critical Care Echocardiography as a Routine Procedure for the Detection and Early Treatment of Cardiac Pathologies. Diagnostics (Basel). 2020;10(9):671. Published 2020 Sep 4.

[3] Freitas-Ferraz AB, Bernier M, Vaillancourt R, et al. Safety of Transesophageal Echocardiography to Guide Structural Cardiac Interventions. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;75(25):3164-3173.
[4] When compared to the X8-2t including comparison with tip width of X8-2t.