Fast-track virtual reality for cardiac imaging in congenital heart disease

Background and Aim of the Study We sought to evaluate the appropriateness of cardiac anatomy renderings by a new virtual reality (VR) technology, entitled DIVA, directly applicable to raw magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data without intermediate segmentation steps in comparison to standard three-dimensional (3D) rendering techniques (3D PDF and 3D printing). Differences in post-processing times were also evaluated. Methods We reconstructed 3D (STL, 3D-PDF, and 3D printed ones) and VR models of three patients with different types of complex congenital heart disease (CHD). We then asked a senior pediatric heart surgeon to compare and grade the results obtained. Results All anatomical structures were well visualized in both VR and 3D PDF/printed models. Ventricular-arterial connections and their relationship with the great vessels were better visualized with the VR model (Case 2); aortic arch anatomy and details were also better visualized by the VR model (Case 3). The median post-processing time to get VR models using DIVA was 5 min in comparison to 8 h (range 8-12 h including printing time) for 3D models (PDF/printed). Conclusions VR directly applied to non-segmented 3D-MRI data set is a promising technique for 3D advanced modeling in CHD. It is systematically more consistent and faster when compared to standard 3D-modeling techniques.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the appropriateness of a new virtual reality technology, DIVA, for cardiac anatomy renderings compared to standard 3D rendering techniques. Results showed that VR models created using DIVA had shorter and more consistent post-processing times, providing better visualization of cardiac structures and details.