Philips launches AI-driven upgrade for its flagship cardiovascular ultrasound systems

Philips has unveiled Transcend Plus, the latest upgrade to its flagship EPIQ CVx and Affiniti CVx cardiovascular ultrasound systems. With sharper imaging, a full suite of FDA-cleared AI tools, and a promise of faster, more confident decision-making - the launch signals Philips' bid to stay at the forefront of echocardiography.

As David Handler, Business Leader for Cardiology Ultrasound at Philips, put it: "Transcend Plus is more than an advancement — it's a clear statement of Philips' leadership in cardiovascular ultrasound."

How does it work?

At its heart, Transcend Plus is about image quality and automation.

• Sharper, clearer scans: FDA-cleared enhancements improve 2D and 3D imaging, giving cardiologists crisper details, stronger contrast, and better visualization of cardiac structures — even in tricky cases.
• AI on tap: With 26 FDA-cleared AI applications now fully integrated, the system automates time-consuming tasks like measuring heart chamber volumes. Features such as 2D Auto EF Advanced expand these capabilities to contrast imaging, making the evaluation of cardiac function both faster and more reliable.
• Reproducibility and consistency: Automated tools minimize operator variability, meaning whether it's a routine check-up or a complex case, the results are standardized and dependable.

As Dr. Akhil Narang of Northwestern University noted, "Human plus AI is going to be better than human alone or AI alone — the 3D Auto CFQ and 3D Auto TV AI applications are examples of this, taking manual, time-consuming processes and automating these measurements in a fast, easy and reproducible way."

Why does it matter?

Cardiac care isn't slowing down. Patient volumes are rising, clinical cases are becoming increasingly complex, and cardiology teams are being stretched thin. In that environment, shaving minutes off routine tasks while ensuring rock-solid accuracy isn't a luxury — it's survival.

• Left ventricular assessment: A cornerstone of cardiac imaging, LV function guides diagnosis and treatment decisions. Transcend Plus ensures these assessments are both fast and reproducible.
• Contrast and non-contrast imaging: The system broadens its utility by supporting accurate analysis even in patients where contrast agents can't be used, such as those with kidney issues.
• Clinical confidence across settings: From echo labs to outpatient clinics, clinicians gain actionable insights quickly, helping them decide faster and treat sooner.

In short, Transcend Plus is more than just a gadget upgrade. It's a workflow solution designed to help overworked cardiology teams maintain their pace without compromising care.

The context

Every year, Philips ultrasound systems support an estimated 1.33 billion diagnostic and interventional procedures — touching 654 million patients worldwide. That scale makes even incremental improvements ripple across healthcare systems. By integrating AI directly into its core platforms, Philips is betting that "smarter not harder" is the only viable path forward in cardiovascular care.

The company will showcase Transcend Plus at two major gatherings: the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Madrid and the American Society of Echocardiography meeting in Nashville. These demonstrations will enable clinicians to see firsthand how sharper imaging and AI-driven automation can transform the daily practice of echocardiography.

Handler called the launch "a bold leap forward in the evolution of echocardiography," and with 26 FDA-cleared AI applications built in, the message is clear: the future of cardiac imaging isn't just digital, it's decisively intelligent.