APPLICATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO DISPLAY THE STRUCTURE OF THE HEART

Abstract

Introduction. It is difficult to display the heart structure with traditional drawings due to its complex three-dimensional structure. Therefore, to depict the heart anatomy, it became necessary to use three-dimensional models, and appropriate digital technologies for the latter became available in the recent decades. Material and methods. Manuscripts reflecting the key stages of the emergence of three-dimensional digital technologies for the heart anatomy visualization and fields of their medical implementation were selected from the MEDLINE database. Results. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the heart are created by the method of segmentation from the results of radiological examinations (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound diagnostics). The created models reproduce the anatomy of the cardiovascular system in vivo. Digital models are interactive and allow the user to explore the external form and internal structure. The images can be viewed on a computer screen or stereoscopically using a virtual reality headset and smart glasses, the models can be rotated at any angle, “immersed” into or divided into parts. Repeated manipulations that are impossible with real organs can be performed on the reconstructions (virtual autopsy). The new tools are used in education and teaching anatomy, fundamental research of the structure of the normal and diseased heart, they supplement diagnostic cardiology reports, are used in planning or performing endovascular and surgical interventions. Digital models can be imported into mixed reality devices and thus used for navigation during surgical and endovascular interventions. Conclusion. Novel three-dimensional technologies have made progress in education, teaching, scientific study of heart anatomy, as well as diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Digital images, as opposed to traditional drawings, are interactive and can be viewed both on a computer and with extended reality devices. The use of the novel heart imaging modalities deepens the understanding of the fundamental anatomy, facilitates basic education, makes the diagnostic conclusions more descriptive, and contributes to the more accurate performance of interventions. The positive results of the implementations of these technologies justify and stipulate their further utilization.