Immersive Three-Dimensional Visualization as a Routine Tool for Complex Congenital Cardiac Surgical Planning: A...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Medical Imaging
• Computational Anatomy

Background:

• Preoperative planning for complex congenital cardiac surgery relies on 2D imaging, hindering 3D spatial understanding.
• Volumetric imaging like CT and MRI are underutilized due to data interpretation challenges.
• Emerging 3D technologies offer potential solutions for visualizing complex cardiac anatomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the use of 3D image visualization in complex congenital cardiac surgery.
• To identify factors influencing the practical utility of 3D models.
• To propose criteria for the systematic adoption of 3D visualization tools.

Main Methods:

• Review of current evidence on 3D model application in cardiac surgery.
• Analysis of CT-based segmentation, virtual reality (VR), and 3D printing capabilities.
• Identification of human and institutional factors impacting 3D model utility.

Main Results:

• 3D models accurately represent complex cardiac anatomy.
• Clinicians report enhanced comprehension of spatial relationships using 3D models.
• Evidence suggests improved understanding, though prospective outcome data are limited.

Conclusions:

• 3D visualization tools offer a practical means to externalize patient-specific anatomy for surgical planning.
• A deliberate, case-selected approach to 3D visualization is recommended.
• Further prospective outcome data are needed, but incorporating these tools is clinically rational.