VR offers improved outcomes for congenital heart disease surgery

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New virtual reality technology could improve outcomes for patients who undergo a surgical or keyhole procedure for congenital heart disease surgery.

congenital heart disease surgery
(Image: AdobeStock)

The technology, developed by researchers from the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences at Kings College London and the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, brings together scans that are routinely used to plan congenital heart disease surgery to create a three-dimensional, beating digital twin of the heart.

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The researchers hope that using VR to plan and practice procedures will shorten operating times and reduce the need for multiple surgeries, leading to better outcomes and experiences for patients and their families. They hope that it could be in regular use within the next two years.

“We have had a lot of help from the fantastic team at King’s Medical Engineering Quality Management System who are helping us to move the device through from a prototype to a nationally regulated device which can be used to help plan these complex procedures,” said Dr Natasha Stephenson, Clinical Research Fellow in Congenital Cardiovascular Imaging at the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences.

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