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Updated: Aug 6, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Human Cardiac Anatomy Through Multi-Scale Analysis of Hearts
Published on: June 28, 2024
Advanced imaging and digitization of preserved heart specimens using virtual reality - A primer
Ravi V Vegulla1, Animesh Tandon1, Jebaraj Rathinaswamy2
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Insights
Advanced cardiac imaging like MRI and CT, combined with virtual reality, can create high-fidelity 3D models of preserved heart specimens for global training in congenital heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Digital Pathology
Background:
- Preserved congenital heart specimens are crucial for training but are not widely accessible.
- Existing training methods lack global reach and digital integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of using advanced cardiac imaging (CT and MRI) and virtual reality (VR) for digitizing preserved heart specimens.
- To determine the optimal imaging modality for creating high-fidelity virtual models of cardiac pathology.
Main Methods:
- Seven preserved congenital heart specimens were imaged using high-dose CT and MRI.
- Three-dimensional (3D) models were generated from the imaging data.
- Physicians performed virtual dissections and scored model fidelity in a VR environment.
Main Results:
- MRI, particularly with T2 spoiled gradient-echo sequences, provided superior fidelity and tissue characterization compared to CT.
- CT excelled at external anatomy but showed reduced fidelity for delicate internal structures.
- No specimens were damaged during the imaging process.
Conclusions:
- High-dose CT and MRI can effectively digitize preserved heart specimens with high fidelity at a low cost.
- Virtual reality and 3D modeling offer a scalable solution for global accessibility of cardiac pathology training materials.
- Digital, virtualized specimens enhance intuitive understanding of complex cardiac anatomy for professionals.
Introduction:
Preserved congenital heart specimens are an important component of training professionals working with children and adults with congenital heart disease. They are curated in few institutions worldwide and not freely accessible. This was a proof-of-concept project to explore the use of advanced cardiac imaging modalities (computed tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and virtual reality (VR) simulation to assess the feasibility and identify the best method of imaging curated cardiac pathology specimens.
Methods:
Seven specimens in glass jars with formalin, with varied anatomic lesions, from a curated collection were imaged using MRI and high-dose CT to compare the fidelity of models created via each modality. Three-dimensional (3D) models were created and loaded into a VR headset and viewed in virtual space. Two independent physicians performed a "virtual dissection" and scored the resultant models.
Results:
The highest fidelity and tissue characterization of more delicate structures was achieved with T2 spoiled gradient-echo sequences on MRI (median score of 4 out of 5). CT (median score of 3), while excellent for external anatomy, lost some fidelity with delicate internal anatomy, even at high-radiation doses. No specimens were damaged.
Conclusions:
We believe that in vitro heart specimens can be easily scanned with high fidelity at a relatively low cost, without causing damage, using high-dose CT and MRI. The ability to "walk through" different chambers of the heart makes the understanding of anatomy easy and intuitive. VR and 3D printing are technologies that could be easily adapted to digitize preserved heart specimens, making it globally accessible for teaching and training purposes.
