Validation of Virtual Imaging of a Dynamic, Functioning Aortic Valve Using an Ex-vivo Porcine Heart

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate a virtual reality imaging system in terms of visualization accuracy and appropriate orientation when displaying cardiac anatomy, we used an ex-vivo model enabling direct comparison between reconstructed three-dimensional visualization of intracardiac structures and real-time visual images.

Description

We established a systole-diastole platform using a swine heart activated by an external mechanical pump and reservoir, allowing simultaneous acquisition of endoscopic visual and computed tomography (CT) images of the aortic valve. Virtual images were processed from CT data using Vesalius 3D software and compared with visual images seen through a fiberoptic scope.

Evaluation

An endoscope gave a fine view of the aortic valve, while the virtual images elucidated the valve structures. Superimposition of the images from those two different modalities showed the virtual reality images precisely matching the visual images in both systole and diastole, confirming the validity of this virtual reality application.

Conclusion

In view of this demonstrated fidelity of virtual imaging, this technology may be of sufficiently high quality to be considered a gold standard for cardiac anatomy.