Abbott's New Coronary Imaging Platform Powered By Artificial Intelligence Launches in Europe

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., April 26, 2021 — Abbott today announced that its new imaging platform powered by Ultreon 1.0 Software, is now CE Marked in Europe. This first-of-its-kind imaging software merges optical coherence tomography (OCT) – an imaging tool that provides physicians a comprehensive view inside an artery or blood vessel – with the power of artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced visualization. The new Ultreon Software can automatically detect the severity of calcium-based blockages and measure vessel diameter to enhance the precision of physicians’ decision-making during coronary stenting procedures.

Unlike traditional imaging methods such as conventional angiography, Abbott’s OCT technology uses near-infrared light to provide high-definition, precise imaging from within a blood vessel. OCT imaging also helps improve physicians’ assessment of blockages in those vessels and optimize decisions related to stent selection, placement and deployment. Through integration with Abbott’s new Dragonfly OpStar imaging catheter, Ultreon Software extends the reach of OCT by allowing physicians to capture information from even the most complex patient anatomy.

With the launch of Ultreon Software, Abbott is further leveraging OCT technology to help physicians make better treatment decisions for their patients. Recent data show that physicians altered their treatment strategy in 88% of coronary artery blockages based on new information provided by OCT when used with MLD MAX, a new workflow that helps guide stenting decisions and provide physicians with treatment strategies to optimize stent placement^.[i]

"Ultreon’s customizable user interface and AI detection will make decision-making faster and reduce procedural variability, especially for the increasing number of physicians who are learning to utilize OCT imaging over other more traditional imaging technologies," said Jose Mª de la Torre Hernández, M.D., head of interventional cardiology at Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, and editor-in-chief of REC: Interventional Cardiology. "The automatic display of details with Ultreon reduces uncertainty during the preparation for stent placement and allows for increased accuracy to help us deliver better care to our patients."

Technology continues to be a vital part of improving patient care in the cardiovascular community. In an August 2020 study titled Beyond Intervention, physicians and administrators identified technology as a critical component to improving patient outcomes across the healthcare continuum. More than half of the interviewed physicians identified technology and data as having the greatest potential to support decision-making at diagnosis and when determining patient treatment.^[ii] Ultreon Software is an example of a technology designed to augment physician decision-making, particularly when combined with established tools providing comprehensive physiological assessment of coronary blood flow and severity of blockages, such as Resting Full-Cycle Ratio (RFR) and Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR). Abbott continues to develop the latest medical technologies, offering physicians and administrators the tools to provide the highest level of care and best possible outcomes for patients. 

"Increased adoption of OCT imaging, when combined with advanced technology like AI, allows cardiologists to have a more precise and measurable way of supporting patients undergoing coronary stent procedures," says Nick West, M.D., chief medical officer and divisional vice president of global medical affairs at Abbott’s vascular business. "Ultreon Software can potentially improve physician and patient experience by utilizing a systematic process, reducing variability and increasing accuracy of diagnosis and application of therapies."

The new Ultreon Software will be showcased for the first time at EuroPCR on May 18-21, 2021, during Abbott’s "Tools and Technique Sessions." Abbott also intends to seek approval in the U.S. and Japan.

About Abbott:

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 109,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

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