Siemens Medical Solutions this week introduced its syngo US, an offline workstation that enables ultrasound image post-processing, re-measurements, and advanced diagnostic application tools, at the 17th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), in Baltimore.

"The syngo-dedicated ultrasound workplace makes ultrasound image data and post-processing applications available offline from the ultrasound system, thus increasing efficiency by changing the entire workflow," said Klaus Hambuechen, president, Ultrasound Division, Siemens Medical Solutions. "With diagnostic evaluations, measurements and reports performed outside the echocardiography lab, throughput can be increased considerably."

The first release of the syngo US for echocardiography comprises a number of syngo applications, such as Vector Velocity Imaging technology (VVI), Auto Ejection Fraction (Auto EF), Quantitative Synch Tool (QST), and Auto-Tracking Contrast Quantification (ACQ).

Echocardiologists using the system will have access to Doppler-based assessment tools and synchronization capabilities using the syngo QST, and also the ability to assess left ventricular dynamics in patients with heart failure using syngo VVI technology without Doppler limitations. As a result, new insights into ventricular mechanics with quantitative echocardiography will help physicians assess patients' suitability for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), to assist in decision-making for heart failure therapy, Siemens said.

The workplace system also features syngo Auto EF measurement functionality that allows automated, rapid and reliable measurements of cardiac ejection fraction, thus providing a new level of consistency and accuracy in cardiac quantification.