Arno Nierich, M.D., PhD.- Cardiac Anesthesiologist & Intensivist | Stroke2Prevent B.V.; George J. Brandon Bravo Bruinsma, M.D., PhD; Hein Kemperman, CPA; Pauline Nierich, QMR; Colin Rutgers, BSc; Nicolas Harpe, Account manager A-View DeRoyal Industries
Competition Sponsor: EIT Health of the European Union
Awardee Year: 2023
Symptomatic stroke occurs in up to 6% of patients after cardiac surgery and is higher in elderly patients. Memory disorders may even occur in more than 60%. This is caused mainly by particles of atherosclerosis that end up in the brain during cardiovascular procedures creating small or large brain infarctions. The use of Trans Esophageal Echocardiography (TEE) in screening patients for the presence of atherosclerosis who are undergoing Cardiac Surgery does not allow for a full visualization of the distal ascending aorta (DAA), the so-called ‘Blind Spot’ of TEE. For the first time, this area can be fully visualized real-time by TEE with the use of a fluid-filled catheter called A-View® placed into the patient’s trachea.
The A-View® innovation is centred around peri-operative imaging and it resolves the blind spot during ultrasound imaging of the main blood vessel coming from the heart, the Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch. A-View® is the device that enables clinicians to have real-time information enabling them to tailor the surgical strategy to the best benefit of the patient. The use of A-View® in a large observational study has demonstrated a > 30% mortality reduction in patients in which A-View® was used.
34% of the global healthcare expenditure is spent on treating stroke patients. The routine use of A-View® prevents one in every 47 patients from developing a stroke, producing a saving of 3300$ per patient. In summary: By saving the heart, you might lose your brain. Our mission is to prevent this disaster.