Philips strengthens diagnostic confidence with new cardiac imaging tools and improves patient data management through new IT solutions

Philips Medical Systems, a division of Royal Philips Electronics(NYSE: PHG; AEX; PHI), today showcased its comprehensive cardiologysolutions focused on advanced diagnostic technologies, strengthened bybest-in-class information management capabilities, at the annualAmerican College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting in Atlanta. With 70million Americans afflicted with cardiac disease,(1) Philipscardiology solutions aim to create an efficient environment wherevital patient data is easily shared and viewed across the healthcaresystem, while software technologies better equip physicians with keyvisualizations and the tools needed to more effectively plan and treatpatients.

"Continuously improving cardiac patient care by pushing theadvancements of diagnostic imaging technology is only half thechallenge," said Brent Shafer, CEO, North America for Philips MedicalSystems. "The other half of the challenge is allowing physicians tomanage all that clinical data. Critical to improving patient care isthe ability to view patients' diagnostic images anywhere at any time,sharing patient data for additional consults and linking that datawith patients' health records."

Strengthening the Portfolio Through Best-in-Class Acquisitions

Last week, Philips announced it will acquire Witt BiomedicalCorporation, the largest independent supplier of hemodynamicmonitoring and clinical reporting systems used in cardiologycatheterization laboratories (Cath Labs). With the growingdigitization of hospitals, cardiologists are increasingly demandingthat Cath Labs be fully integrated into a hospital's ITinfrastructure. Witt Biomedical is one of the leading suppliers ofhemodynamic monitoring and clinical reporting systems, and its systemshold top rankings from healthcare IT vendor reviewers MD Buyline andKLAS.

Through this acquisition, customers will benefit from anintegrated suite of best-in-class technologies for the Cath Lab. Basedon company estimates in 2005 Philips held the number one position incardiovascular x-ray. In hemodynamic monitoring and clinical reportingsystems, Witt Biomedical was the largest independent supplier in theUnited States in 2005, and was the number two supplier in the globalmarket.

Innovative Technology Advancements to Simplify and Enhance PatientFocus

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Leading Philips new diagnostic imaging offerings at ACC is thePET/CT Viewer for the Extended Brilliance Workspace (EBW). The PhilipsEBW with PET/CT Viewer provides PET, CT and PET/CT review, display andanalysis in a single, integrated user environment. The PET/CT Vieweris adaptable to the workflow needs of physicians and substantiallyimproves workflow and efficiency for routine clinical review, whileallowing more time to focus on patient care. In addition, physicianshave access to the full suite of cardiac PET and CT applications,including Emory Cardiac Toolbox, Heart Fusion, and ComprehensiveCardiac Analysis. These quantitative applications provide myocardialperfusion and viability analysis as well as CTA and PET myocardialimage fusion for multi-modality assessment of the heart.

Magnetic Resonance (MR)

Philips MR will showcase for the first time k-t BLAST (k-spacetime Broad-use Linear Acquisition Speed-up Technique), a tool designedto significantly increase the speed of cardiac MR making it up to fivetimes faster than current methods. As the fastest technology in theindustry, k-t BLAST enables cine cardiac MR, the ability to view asequence of cardiac images in a movie format, in single breath holdwhile still maintaining quality images. Philips k-t BLAST not onlymeets the needs of physicians by providing faster, higher qualitycardiac MR, but makes the process more comfortable for patients whoare unable to participate in multiple breath holds or endure longerscan times.

In addition, Philips 4D-TRAK MR Angiography (4D Time-ResolvedAngiography using Keyhole) enables MR angiography up to 60 timesfaster for patients with suspected vascular disease. As the fastest 4DMRA in the industry, this system allows for high spatial resolutioninflow studies at high frame rates, which is crucial for accuratediagnosis and efficient clinical routine use of cardiac MR.

Patient Monitoring

Also being shown at ACC is the new Philips Spirometry Module forcontinuous respiratory mechanics measurement. Continuous Spirometryhas numerous clinical applications both in the operating room andintensive care units; such as its ability to help physiciansaccurately detect heart disorders, and monitor effects of therapy aswell as respiratory status changes. Philips Spirometry providescontinuous evaluation of the lung using Philips IntelliVue patientmonitor displays and can increase patient safety through improvedventilation management by reducing ventilator-associated complicationsand reducing patient ventilation dependence.

Healthcare Informatics

Philips Healthcare Informatics group will highlight two newcomponents of the Xcelera Cardiology Information Solutions portfoliothat deliver simple tools to access, share and discuss clinicalsolutions. First, the upgraded Philips Xcelera Cath Lab Managementmodule features productivity tools such as procedure logging andclinical documentation support to enable fast report generation viapoint-and-click pick lists. The enhancements help create smoothintegration between Xcelera Cath Lab Management and hemodynamicmonitoring systems for clinical data exchange, improving workflow anduser interaction between the two systems.

Additionally, a new version of Philips Xcelera WebForum allowsphysicians to view images and echocardiography reports via theInternet--be it in the ICU, exam room, their office or even on a homecomputer. Helping improve workflow and care, Xcelera WebForum providesa tool for physicians to distribute vital multi-modality images acrosstheir healthcare enterprise. Patients will now have their diagnosticscans more accessible at different stops along the care cycle, whichcould translate into quicker, more informed care and treatment.

Ultrasound

Philips Ultrasound is showcasing the latest version of the iE33echocardiography system that is driving fundamental changes in themanagement of heart failure patients. The iE33 is the first ultrasoundsystem to provide cardiologists with accurate and reproducible EF(ejection fraction) readings and measure the wall motion andsynchronicity of 17 different segments of the heart. The latest Vision2005 enhancements, being shown at ACC, feature improved pediatriccardiology functionality, including a new pediatric Multiplane TEE(transesophageal echo) transducer; enhanced vascular capabilities; andnew 3D synchronicity indices that help physicians determine whichpatients will best benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT).

Cardiac CT Training Provides Education, Integration and IncreasedWorkflow

Cardiac CT Angiography (CTA) education programs aimed atcustomizing training for radiologists and cardiologists on all levelswill be highlighted at ACC. The sessions, which offer Levels 1, 2, and3 training, are in compliance with ACC competency guidelines and areavailable through an online didactic module for more convenientlearning or in intensive Peer-to-Peer hands-on workstation training.

Philips Cardiac CTA training is currently available throughvarious leading centers around the world. For more information,training site listings and details check online atwww.theonlinelearningcenter.com.

New Research Demonstrates Impact of Imaging

At ACC, Philips Medical and its customers will continue todemonstrate their roles in research, which helps shape thecardiovascular community. Below are a few notable abstracts and paneldiscussions slated for presentation at ACC regarding the role ofimaging and its diagnostic impact in evaluating patients:

-- How to Get Started Using Cardiac Computed Tomography: Essentials of Establishing a Cardiac Computed Tomography Lab. Sunday, March 12, 8:45 - 9:00 AM. Georgia World Congress Center, Ballroom 2. William Guy Weigold, III, Washington, DC.

-- Overview of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance: Current Clinical Indications and Applications for the Future. Sunday, Mar 12, 9:25 - 9:45 AM. Georgia World Congress Center, Room TBD. Scott D. Flamm, Houston, TX.

-- Post-Myocardial Infarction Clinical Decision-Making: Guidelines and Imaging Examples--Magnetic Resonance. Sunday, Mar 12, 4:50 - 5:00 PM. Georgia World Congress Center, Room TBD. Eike Nagel, Berlin, Germany.

-- Usefulness of 64-Slice Multi-Detector Computed Tomography to Improve Diagnostic Yield in Patients With Chest Pain and Negative or Equivocal Exercise Treadmill Tests. Monday, March 13, 7:45 - 8:00 AM. Georgia World Congress Center, Room B312. Rubinshtein, Halon, Gaspar, Peled, Schiliamser, Yaniv, Flugelman, Ammar, Lewis, Davis, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.

For more information on Philips cardiovascular products andsolutions please visit ACC booth #2829/3025.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI)is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe'slargest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. Withactivities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyleand technology and 159,200 employees in more than 60 countries, it hasmarket leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patientmonitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting andsilicon system solutions. News from Philips is located atwww.philips.com/newscenter.

Footnote:

(1) Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhttp://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/cvh.htm