Cardiovascular Business - January/February 2009 - (Page 29)

“We also think that the procedure volumes for cardiovascular ultrasound are increasing, driven by an aging population and the prevalence of risk factors like obesity and diabetes, as well as an increased awareness in the general population about cardiovascular diseases,” Sharma adds. As the Baby Boomer generation reaches its golden years—almost 60 million Baby Boomers will be over 65 by 2031—its members also will reach the peak of their cardiovascular care years, and cardiology is looking for ways to deliver better, faster care at a patient’s bedside. Cardiovascular information system (CVIS) investments enable anywhere, anytime access to healthcare data, which is critical to improving productivity and workf low. It’s also critical to invest in devices that enable cardiologists to obtain critical cardiac data faster and more efficiently, ultimately leading to better patient care. projected growth of Compact echo 20%– 15%– 16% 10%– 8% 5%– 0– Bells and whistles Choosing a compact echo system, and choosing among the various enhancements and features, can be challenging and often depends on the clinical needs of the business. The technology continues to improve for compact echo systems. Better transducers improve penetration in difficult-to-image patients and reduce acoustic noise, so clinicians can view structures in finer detail. Adaptive image processing, as well, helps reduce noise and improve clarity and edge definition. From a laptop, clinicians can now obtain real-time 2D, 3D and 4D imaging, as well as Doppler data during semi-invasive or invasive procedures, including transthoracic and intracardiac echo, transesophogeal echo (TEE), carotid artery and saphenous vein evaluation, dobutamine stress echo, tissue velocity imaging and intima-media thickness measurements. 2008 YEAR 2016 hand-carried ultrasound adoption in cardiology was approximately 6 to 8 percent in unit growth sales in 2008 and is expected to increase 12 to 16 percent over the next several years. Source: millennium research Group Taking the lab to the in- & outpatient The adoption of hand-carried ultrasound units in cardiology was approximately 6 to 8 percent in unit growth sales in 2008, according to MRG. It is expected to increase to 12 to 16 percent in the next few years, driven by economics, mobility and footprint advantages. With at least a 30 or 40 percent price differential from the larger, traditional units, cost can be a factor in determining whether to purchase a compact echo system. For some like Richard V. Milani, MD, director of noninvasive laboratories at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, cost isn’t the key factor in choosing a compact unit. “The question really is about maneuverability and getting close enough to patients, especially in the ICU setting, which is replete with machines and ventilators. It can be a daunting task to pull off,” Milani says. Compact portable echoes can be used throughout the day in almost any capacity including transthoracic and transesophageal cardiology applications. In the outpatient lab, the decision to purchase larger or smaller units takes some attention to detail. “If I were to start a business tomorrow, I wouldn’t purchase 20 CardiovascularBusiness.com Cardiovascular Business 29 http://www.CardiovascularBusiness.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cardiovascular Business - January/February 2009

Cardiovascular Business - January/February 2009 Contents First Word Electrophysiology Roundtable Forum: A Candid Conversation about Profits, Procedures and Patients Heart Failure Care Gets Boost from Technology Emerging Technologies in Peripheral Vascular Interventions Stent vs. Graft: Choosing the Best Path for the Diabetic Patient with Multivessel Disease Cardiology Groups and Hospitals Strive to ‘Connect’ Seamlessly CT Beyond 64 Slices Clinical Study Digest: Kidney Disease & PCI; Women and Valve Disease Compact Echo Systems Come Up Big in Cardiac Care News & Views Reader Resources The ACC Corner

Cardiovascular Business - January/February 2009

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