The digital heart-lung unit: applications of exponential technology

Area of Science:

• Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery
• Digital health technologies
• Medical innovation

Background:

• Exponential technologies, including virtual reality (VR), computational modeling, and additive manufacturing, are increasingly utilized in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery.
• A growing body of research evaluates the clinical impact of these technologies.
• Hospitals are adopting digital solutions to enhance clinical workflows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of current exponential technologies applied in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic medicine.
• To present the potential applications of these technologies.
• To outline facilitators, challenges, and recommendations for adopting these technologies in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of currently applied modalities including immersive VR, 3D computational modeling, VR-based simulations, and additive manufacturing (3D printing).
• Analysis of the potential of these applications in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic medicine.
• Identification of key facilitators, challenges, and recommendations for adoption.

Main Results:

• Exponential technologies are being adopted to improve pre-procedural workflow, patient care, and training.
• Immersive VR, 3D computational modeling, VR-based simulations, and 3D printing are key applied modalities.
• The article discusses the potential, facilitators, challenges, and recommendations for clinical implementation.

Conclusions:

• Exponential technologies offer significant potential to advance cardiovascular and cardiothoracic medicine.
• Successful clinical integration requires addressing identified facilitators and challenges.
• Recommendations are provided to guide the adoption of these transformative technologies.