Philips has announced the initial use of its VeriSight Pro 3D Intracardiac Echocardiography (ICE) catheter at two German medical institutions, University Medical Center Mainz and Robert Bosch Hospital in Stuttgart.
This marks the first application of the technology in Europe, following its earlier release in the US.
The catheter enables real-time 3D imaging within the heart, providing enhanced visualisation for physicians during procedures and eliminating the need for general anaesthesia.
It is specifically designed for use in transcatheter valve repairs and left atrial appendage closures, offering high-resolution 2D and 3D images that support decision-making in structural heart and electrophysiology interventions.
At University Medical Center Mainz, Professor Stephan von Bardeleben and Professor Philip Lurz led procedures using the VeriSight Pro for tricuspid valve repairs, marking a European first in clinical application.
Professor von Bardeleben said: “The VeriSight Pro 3D ICE catheter allowed us to visualise the tricuspid valve in real-time with exceptional clarity, directly from within the heart.
“This innovation helped us guide the procedure more confidently and efficiently, all without the need for general anaesthesia. For our patients, this means a safer, faster recovery.”
Simultaneously, Dr Philipp Nikolai and his team at Robert Bosch Hospital successfully employed the catheter for both tricuspid and mitral valve interventions, demonstrating its adaptability in various structural heart procedures.
Dr Nikolai said: “Performing both tricuspid and mitral valve interventions with the support of VeriSight Pro demonstrated the true potential of real-time 3D ICE.
“It gave us clear, intraprocedural guidance during leaflet grasping, which is a key step in TEER procedures. This technology offers an alternative to TEE that is not only less invasive but also more efficient for the clinical team.”
The introduction of the VeriSight Pro 3D ICE catheter in Europe is a significant development in the field of image-guided, minimally invasive heart procedures, offering integrated solutions that align with the operational needs of healthcare teams.
