By Habiba Syed, Contributing Reporter

A pilot study conducted at Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Center at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) shines light on augmented reality (AR)‘s potential for improving cardiology outcomes through enhanced visualization of myocardial scarring.

The research team's findings demonstrate that by superimposing computer generated MR scan information on a Microsoft HoloLens headset, providers may be better equipped to conduct certain procedures and interventions.
“AR provided a unique perspective to look at 3D MR images during the procedure that has not been available to cardiac electrophysiologists,” said Jihye Jang, a researcher at BIDMC and study author. “The user could interactively explore 3D myocardial scarring in the augmented reality environment that allows for the combination of holographic 3D LGE data interacting with any real-world environments, such as a surgical suite or patient’s body.”

Myocardial scarring is caused by a heart attack and can stem from the surgical repair of congenital heart disease. With the use of AR, the physicians were able to visualize scarring data in three dimensions without coming in contact with a computer screen and mouse, keeping the environment sterile during the procedure.

In ventricular tachycardia ablation, the substrate of arrhythmia around and within the scar region is often targeted by catheter ablation, Jang explained. Utilizing AR is of interest because it “allows visualization of the targeted region (i.e. myocardial scar) in 3D during catheter ablation. We were looking to assess AR’s potential to help cardiologists visualize myocardial scarring in the heart as they perform ventricular tachycardia ablation or other electrophysiological interventions.”

The pilot study was done with animals, but Jang is hopeful that the approach will eventually lead the way to clinical, human applications.

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