Philips Launches Transcend Plus, Next-Generation Cardiovascular Ultrasound Platform with AI Integration

Royal Philips has unveiled Transcend Plus, the newest generation of its EPIQ CVx and Affiniti CVx cardiovascular ultrasound systems. The platform delivers significant upgrades in both image quality and artificial intelligence, including FDA-cleared 2D and 3D enhancements and a growing suite of AI-powered applications designed to meet the escalating demands of cardiac care.

With cardiology teams facing higher patient volumes, more complex clinical cases, and persistent workforce shortages, Transcend Plus aims to help providers achieve faster, more consistent results without compromising diagnostic precision.

“Transcend Plus represents a bold leap forward in the evolution of echocardiography, reinforcing our commitment to continuous innovation, empowering clinicians with AI-driven tools that enhance confidence, accelerate decision-making, and elevate care at every stage of the cardiac journey,” said David Handler, Business Leader, Cardiology Ultrasound at Philips.

Among the most visible upgrades is improved sharpness, contrast, and detail in both 2D and 3D imaging, which enhances visualization of cardiac anatomy and function, even in challenging cases. The system introduces 2D Auto EF Advanced, an AI feature that expands automated evaluation for contrast images—vital for accurate assessment of cardiac function.

Echoing the clinical value of AI, Akhil Narang, MD, Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory at Northwestern University, commented: “Artificial intelligence is a tool, not a threat, and I always maintain that 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.”

Philips now offers 26 FDA-cleared AI applications for cardiovascular ultrasound, more than any other manufacturer, with all of them fully integrated into Transcend Plus. These tools cover the entire continuum of care, from inpatient echo labs to outpatient clinics and long-term follow-up. Among the most impactful are the 2D Auto EF and 2D Auto EF Advanced features, which enable clinicians to accurately assess left ventricular function even when contrast agents cannot be used.

Left ventricular evaluation is one of the most essential aspects of cardiac imaging, central to diagnosing and managing a wide range of conditions. By automating these measurements, Transcend Plus reduces operator variability, ensures reproducibility across patient populations, and provides clinicians with faster, actionable insights. This is particularly beneficial in high-volume settings where time and consistency are critical.

The system is also designed for flexibility, empowering clinicians to deliver confident care across environments, including the echo lab, interventional suite, and outpatient clinics. Its three primary benefits are: enhanced imaging for sharper cardiac visualization, advanced AI integration that automates routine tasks, and accelerated decision support that reduces delays in patient care.

Philips ultrasound systems already play a major role globally, with an estimated 1.33 billion diagnostic and interventional procedures performed annually on 654 million patients. Transcend Plus will be showcased at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2025 in Madrid and the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) meeting in Nashville this September.