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. 2023 Jul;39(7):1405-1419.
doi: 10.1007/s10554-023-02823-z. Epub 2023 Apr 27.

Extended reality for procedural planning and guidance in structural heart disease - a review of the state-of-the-art

Natasha Stephenson  1   2   3 , Kuberan Pushparajah  4   5 , Gavin Wheeler  4 , Shujie Deng  4 , Julia A Schnabel  4   6   7 , John M Simpson  4   5
Affiliations

Extended reality for procedural planning and guidance in structural heart disease - a review of the state-of-the-art

Natasha Stephenson et al. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Extended reality (XR), which encompasses virtual, augmented and mixed reality, is an emerging medical imaging display platform which enables intuitive and immersive interaction in a three-dimensional space. This technology holds the potential to enhance understanding of complex spatial relationships when planning and guiding cardiac procedures in congenital and structural heart disease moving beyond conventional 2D and 3D image displays. A systematic review of the literature demonstrates a rapid increase in publications describing adoption of this technology. At least 33 XR systems have been described, with many demonstrating proof of concept, but with no specific mention of regulatory approval including some prospective studies. Validation remains limited, and true clinical benefit difficult to measure. This review describes and critically appraises the range of XR technologies and its applications for procedural planning and guidance in structural heart disease while discussing the challenges that need to be overcome in future studies to achieve safe and effective clinical adoption.

Keywords: Catheter planning; Extended reality; Procedure guidance; Structural heart disease; Surgical planning; Virtual reality.

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Conflict of interest statement

Professor Simpson is Principal Investigator for the 3D Heart project. Dr Pushparajah, Dr Wheeler and Professor Schnabel are co-applicants, and Dr Deng and Dr Stephenson are research associates. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pictorial representation of major XR modalities and key features
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flow chart demonstrating systematic literature search with inclusions and exclusions
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Bar chart demonstrating included publications by year and type of use
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
XR subtypes used in different study categories
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Graphical representation of study methodologies utilised in included studies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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