Philips Launches Clinical Trial to Reduce Radiation Exposure in Cath Labs

Philips, a leading medical technology company, has announced a significant new clinical trial aimed at reducing radiation exposure during coronary procedures. The trial, named Radiqal, will test an ultralow X-ray dose technique that could potentially cut radiation exposure by half for both patients and healthcare providers in catheterization laboratories.

Radiqal Trial: A Step Towards Safer Cardiac Procedures

The Radiqal trial, unveiled at the annual EuroPCR interventional cardiology conference in Paris, is set to enroll over 800 patients across the United States and Europe. This randomized, unblinded study will utilize Philips' Azurion image-guided therapy systems equipped with ClarityIQ technology, which has already demonstrated the ability to reduce patient radiation doses by approximately two-thirds in certain cardiology cases.

Dr. Javier Escaned, the principal investigator and a professor of cardiology at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, emphasized the importance of this research: "The ability to reduce radiation exposure without compromising procedural performance is a key priority in interventional cardiology. It is also important to achieve high-quality angiograms when using diluted contrast media as part of ultra-low contrast procedures."

Industry-Wide Push for Radiation Protection

The Radiqal trial comes amid growing concern over the long-term effects of radiation exposure on healthcare professionals. Earlier this month, at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) scientific sessions in Washington, D.C., a coalition of industry representatives, hospitals, and medical organizations issued a joint statement calling for mandatory radiation protection measures in catheterization labs.

This push for enhanced safety measures is driven by alarming health trends among interventional cardiologists, who have reported higher rates of specific cancers, cataracts, and reproductive risks due to occupational radiation exposure. Notably, there has been a disproportionate development of tumors in the left hemisphere of the brain, which typically faces the X-ray machine during procedures.

Dr. Darshan Doshi, medical and clinical head of Philips' image-guided therapy division and an interventional cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, highlighted the broader implications of this research: "Interventional cardiologists rely on low-dose, high-quality imaging for confident decision-making throughout multiple procedures each day. Also for patients, especially those with high BMI or with complex conditions requiring repeat interventions, minimizing radiation exposure is increasingly critical."

Advancements in Cardiac Imaging Technology

In addition to the Radiqal trial, Philips has begun rolling out its 3D intracardiac echocardiography catheter, the VeriSight Pro system, in Europe. This innovative technology provides real-time imaging from inside the heart's chambers without the need for general anesthesia. The three-millimeter catheter is designed for procedures such as transcatheter valve repair and left atrial appendage closure, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional transesophageal echocardiography.

As the medical community continues to prioritize patient and provider safety, these advancements in imaging technology and radiation reduction techniques represent significant steps forward in the field of interventional cardiology. The results of the Radiqal trial and the adoption of new imaging systems like the VeriSight Pro could potentially reshape standard practices in catheterization labs worldwide, ushering in a new era of safer cardiac procedures.