New Cardiograph Helps Clinicians Deliver Earlier Diagnosis

A new cardiograph helps speed heart disease diagnosis by offering intuitive operation and advanced clinical decision support.

The Philips PageWriter TC50 cardiograph uses an anatomically designed patient interface module that makes attaching lead wires quick and intuitive, contributing to timely triage. A variety of tools aid clinicians with this task, including those enabled by a proprietary 16-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) DXL algorithm. The algorithm's ST segment elevation myocardial infarction culprit artery (STEMI–CA) criteria examines the lead distribution of the ST elevation to determine the artery that is most likely to harbor an obstruction (the culprit artery). Patented ST maps that show the spatial orientation of STEMI provide an easier perception of the ischemic areas via a graphical representation of the ST wave elevation, a key measure in the diagnosis of ischemia. By using these data, clinicians can quickly decide on the next appropriate management steps for the patient.

In addition, since heart disease in women often occurs in smaller vessels with less obstruction and more subtle symptoms, the ECG analysis program used by the PageWriter interprets gender-differentiated criteria to help infer cardiac symptoms in women, including the identification of acute global ischemia. The Philips PageWriter TC50 cardiograph is a product of Royal Philips Electronics (Philips; Amsterdam, The Netherlands).

"We have developed this product as part of Philips' ongoing efforts to simplify cardiac care now and in the future,” said Joris van den Hurk, vice president of cardiology programs for Philips Healthcare. "The PageWriter TC50 and the DXL Algorithm help clinicians in their decision-making by presenting the right information with clarity at the right time. The PageWriter TC50 supports healthcare facilities in their goal of meeting guideline of less than two hours from first medical contact to treatment.”

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