How to Use Virtual Reality from Echocardiographic-Acquired Images.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Virtual Reality

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive 3D environments for medical applications.
• Echocardiography provides valuable data for creating cardiac models.
• Integrating VR with echocardiography has the potential to revolutionize cardiac diagnostics and training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence and future applications of VR using echocardiographic images.
• To explore how VR enhances diagnostic accuracy and cardiac structure visualization.
• To assess VR's role in improving interpretation, communication, and training in cardiology.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on VR applications in echocardiography.
• Analysis of technological advancements in 3D echocardiography (3DE) probes.
• Exploration of VR's use in procedural planning, education, and intraprocedural guidance.

Main Results:

• VR is feasible, effective, and safe for utilizing echocardiographic data.
• Advancements in 3DE probes improve imaging for preoperative planning.
• VR facilitates visualization of dynamic 3D cardiac models for surgical rehearsal and device selection.
• VR serves as an immersive training tool for echocardiographers and aids in interventions like atrial septal defect closures.

Conclusions:

• VR combined with 3DE offers significant potential for refining cardiac diagnosis and procedural strategies.
• The synergy between VR and echocardiography is growing, promising enhanced visualization and interpretation.
• VR applications extend from education and planning to intraprocedural guidance in cardiovascular interventions.