Digital tools in cardiac reperfusion pathways: A systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Digital Health Technologies
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Digital technologies are increasingly integrated into healthcare, necessitating an understanding of their application in clinical pathways.
• Cardiac reperfusion surgeries can benefit from digital tools, but evidence on their effective integration is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and analyze the existing evidence on the use of digital technology in cardiac reperfusion surgeries.
• To identify the applications, benefits, and limitations of digital tools in this surgical domain.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across three scientific databases.
• Screening of 1,092 retrieved articles using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria.
• Analysis of 21 selected articles reporting on digital technology use in cardiovascular reperfusion.

Main Results:

• Digital technologies like virtual reality, mHealth, and telehealth are used in cardiac reperfusion from training to rehabilitation.
• Clinical advantages were noted, but limitations such as cost, interface issues, and training requirements were identified.

Conclusions:

• Digital technologies offer potential benefits for cardiac reperfusion surgeries, patient outcomes, and health institutions.
• Addressing limitations through further development and patient stakeholder engagement is crucial for realizing the full potential of these tools.