On the eve of ACC.15, GE Healthcare’s Al Lojewski, general manager of cardiovascular ultrasound, answered some questions for Cardiovascular Business:

CVB: What trends do you see in the cardiovascular care field?

Lojewski: Ultrasound increasingly is being used globally to help improve healthcare providers’ capabilities in heart disease management, such as for valve disease and atrial appendage closure. We’re seeing more comprehensive use of ultrasound across the cardiovascular care pathway including pre-, during and post-procedure, in the OR and cath lab, and in ER settings. Clinicians are increasingly adopting ultrasound for cardiovascular care because of its workflow productivity, cost savings, real-time imaging capabilities and ability to help them see more. We also continue to work with industry groups and customers to expand education on the latest technologies, capabilities and industry guidelines in an effort to provide the best care for patients across the world.

What is GE Healthcare unveiling, or focusing on, at ACC.15?

Lojewski: GE is showcasing its broad Vivid portfolio, including its flagship Vivid E9 with XDClear designed to help shorten exam time and enhance diagnostic confidence in the adult and pediatric echo labs, during interventions or in the operating room. We also connect thousands of our customers through our Vivid Club network, which provides them with the newest product information, educational offerings, tips and tricks and white papers, among other resources.

How will the Vivid portfolio improve patient care and/or change practice management?

Lojewski: Ultrasound in general is increasingly becoming a modality of choice for clinicians because of its portability, ability to reduce patient stay, low cost, increasingly improved image quality and clinical versatility. Ultimately, this efficiency leads to reducing patient anxiety in the healthcare environment.