Ultrasound Cardiac Measurement Tool Receives FDA Nod

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted to Toshiba America Medical Systems clearance to market Auto-IMT ™ , an ultrasound software tool that can measure the thickness of the intima-media layers of the carotid artery. The tool is intended to assist physicians in evaluating asymptomatic patients’ risk of developing cardiovascular disease and enhance diagnostic efficiency, and is now available on the Aplio XG, Aplio MX and Xario XG ultrasound systems. Auto-IMT can determine intima-media thickness (IMT) of the near and far arterial walls from three segments of the carotid artery: at an optimal angle of incidence and two complementary planes. It automatically traces the two complementary planes and calculates the distance between them. Collected images are used in accordance with the American Society of Echocardiography’s (ASE) consensus statement for the diagnosis. Midwest Ultrasound, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, worked with Toshiba to develop the software and will utilize it on all 25 of its Xario XG systems. “Auto-IMT has helped us reduce the time it takes to evaluate carotid artery wall thickness from 45 minutes to less than 10 minutes, allowing us to evaluate more patients in less time,” says David Parlato, director, clinical operations, Midwest Ultrasound. “In addition, the ability to image and measure the artery in real time eliminates the need for interim centralized PACS storage and off-line workstation review, which enables us to provide IMT-based risk screening much more efficiently for our patients.” Midwest Ultrasound promotes itself as the regional leader in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky for providing cardiac, vascular and general diagnostic ultrasound services. Such services are offered in partnerships with hospitals and large physician practices. “Measuring IMT at a faster pace helps identify high-risk patients before a cardiac episode occurs,” adds Tomo Hasegawa, director, Ultrasound Business Unit, Toshiba. “We believe this leads to better patient outcomes.”