Clinical Value of Virtual Reality versus 3D Printing in Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Both three-dimensional (3D) printing and virtual reality (VR) are reported as being superior to the current visualization techniques in conveying more comprehensive visualization of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, little is known in terms of their clinical value in diagnostic assessment, medical education, and preoperative planning of CHD. This cross-sectional study aims to address these by involving 35 medical practitioners to subjectively evaluate VR visualization of four selected CHD cases in comparison with the corresponding 3D printed heart models (3DPHM). Six questionnaires were excluded due to incomplete sections, hence a total of 29 records were included for the analysis. The results showed both VR and 3D printed heart models were comparable in terms of the degree of realism. VR was perceived as more useful in medical education and preoperative planning compared to 3D printed heart models, although there was no significant difference in the ratings (p = 0.54 and 0.35, respectively). Twenty-one participants (72%) indicated both the VR and 3DPHM provided additional benefits compared to the conventional medical imaging visualizations. This study concludes the similar clinical value of both VR and 3DPHM in CHD, although further research is needed to involve more cardiac specialists for their views on the usefulness of these tools.

3D Printed Models in Cardiovascular Disease: An Exciting Future to Deliver Personalized Medicine

“…3D printed models are increasingly used in medical education, with promising results achieved when compared to traditional teaching methods. Studies have shown its educational value in two areas as assessed by medical students and clinicians (cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac imaging specialists including radiologists and radiographers, residents or registrars, and clinical nurses) [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Table 1 summarizes studies reporting the medical education of 3D printed models compared to traditional teaching methods or other advanced tools.…”

“…Due to the complexity and wide heterogeneity of CHD lesions, it is difficult to fully understand the complex 3D anatomy and pathology on a 2D flat screen, thus rendering 3D printed models a valuable tool for the education of clinicians or healthcare professionals. Most of the studies reported the educational value of using 3D printed CHD models in pediatric or medical residents [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ], with some involving pediatric cardiologists [ 35 ] ( Table 1 ). There is consistent agreement among these studies that 3D printed models significantly increased the participants’ knowledge of cardiac anatomy and CHD pathology when compared to conventional education or imaging approaches.…”

Three-Dimensional Virtual and Printed Prototypes in Complex Congenital and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery—A Multidisciplinary Team-Learning Experience

“…In order to overcome this possible problem, new technologies have emerged, where the virtual 3D model is projected the virtual and/or mixed reality space [38,39] and the spectator wearing special glasses can interact with them with/out haptic feedback [40][41][42] (Figure 1B). These developing techniques are in the process of maturation and in finding their niche in the clinical armamentarium [43][44][45][46]; however, the need for 3D-printed models remains, as they readily exist in the physical reality and they accurately demonstrate rather complex morphologies [47], which can be printed with the physical properties of native tissues [48].…”

“…As another direction, rapid development in holographic technology carries potentials for 3D modeling. Holograms offer quicker production time and low budget solution compared to 3D printing [45,46]. Applications allow free maneuverability, free magnification, the possibility of virtual tours inside the cardiac chambers and segments as a shared 3D team experience.…”

New Approach to Accelerated Image Annotation by Leveraging Virtual Reality and Cloud Computing

“…Examples of these active initiatives are found in Arivis AG and syGlass (see Table 1 in El Beheiry et al, 2020 ). Within the context of medical applications, initiatives have also focused on education ( Djukic et al, 2013 ; Fertleman et al, 2018 ; Bouaoud et al, 2020 ; Shao et al, 2020 ; Venkatesan et al, 2021 ), surgery planning and diagnosis ( Reitinger et al, 2006 ; Ong et al, 2018 ; Pfeiffer et al, 2018 ; Ayoub and Pulijala, 2019 ; Lee and Wong, 2019 ; Pinter et al, 2020 ; Wake et al, 2020 ; Boedecker et al, 2021 ; Chheang et al, 2021 ; Laas et al, 2021 ; Lau et al, 2021 ; Raimondi et al, 2021 ; Ruiz et al, 2021 ; Venkatesan et al, 2021 ).…”