Evolutionary trends and innovations in cardiovascular intervention

Emerging Image-Guided Navigation Techniques for Cardiovascular Interventions: A Scoping Review

Background: Image-guided navigation has revolutionized precision cardiac interventions, yet current technologies face critical limitations in real-time guidance and procedural accuracy. Method: Here, we comprehensively evaluate state-of-the-art imaging modalities, from conventional fluoroscopy to emerging hybrid systems, analyzing their applications across coronary, structural, and electrophysiological interventions. Results: We demonstrate that novel approaches combining optical coherence tomography with near-infrared spectroscopy or fluorescence achieve unprecedented plaque characterization and procedural guidance through simultaneous structural and molecular imaging. Our analysis reveals key challenges, including imaging artifacts and resolution constraints, while highlighting recent technological solutions incorporating artificial intelligence and robotics. We show that non-imaging alternatives, such as fiber optic real-shape sensing and electromagnetic tracking, complement traditional techniques by providing real-time navigation without radiation exposure. This paper also discusses the integration of image-guided navigation techniques into augmented reality systems and patient-specific modeling, highlighting initial clinical studies that demonstrate their significant promise in reducing procedural times and improving accuracy. These findings establish a framework for next-generation cardiac interventions, emphasizing the critical role of multimodal imaging platforms enhanced by AI-driven decision support. Conclusions: We conclude that continued innovation in hybrid imaging systems, coupled with advances in automation, will be essential for optimizing procedural outcomes and expanding access to complex cardiac interventions.

Advanced Robotics for the Next-Generation of Cardiac Interventions

With an increasing number of elderly individuals, the demand for advanced technologies to treat cardiac diseases has become more critical than ever. Additionally, there is a pressing need to reduce the learning curve for cardiac interventionalists to keep pace with the rapid development of new types of procedures and devices and to expand the adoption of established procedures in more hospitals. This comprehensive review aims to shed light on recent advancements in novel robotic systems for cardiac interventions. To do so, this review provides a brief overview of the history of previously developed robotic systems and describes the necessity for advanced technologies for cardiac interventions to address the technological limitations of current systems. Moreover, this review explores the potential of cutting-edge technologies and methods in developing the next generation of intra-procedure autonomous navigation. Each highlighted topic undergoes a critical analysis to evaluate its technical limitations and the challenges that must be addressed for successful clinical implementation.

Perceptions of Cardiac Surgeons Regarding the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiac Surgery

Background

After the surge of artificial intelligence in late 2022, researchers started exploring the idea of using artificial intelligence in the medical field. Considering the endless possibilities of artificial intelligence, there is still some hesitation toward its use in the medical field. This study aims to explore the attitudes of cardiac surgeons toward involving artificial intelligence in diagnosing cardiac conditions and planning cardiac operations.

Methodology

This study surveyed cardiac surgeons on AI integration in their field using a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed in IBM SPSS 29.0.

Results

Our study included 33 cardiac surgeons primarily male (n =26, 78.8 %) and Saudi nationals (n =26, 78.8 %), assessed attitudes towards AI in cardiac surgery. A significant majority supported AI for pre-operative (n =17, 51.5 %), intra-operative (n =11, 33.3 %), and post-operative tasks (n =13, 39.4 %). The overall positive attitude towards AI was 54.2 % and overall positive perception towards AI was 50 %. However, perceptions of AI's integration into healthcare varied, with the highest approval for Documentation AI Assistance (n =13, 39.40 %). No significant demographic differences were found affecting attitudes towards AI (p-values ranging from 0.576 to 1.000).

Conclusion

Our study reveals a positive yet cautious attitude towards AI in cardiac surgery, recognizing its potential to improve precision and efficiency but emphasizing the irreplaceable need for human judgment and expertise in managing patient-specific variables.

Applications and advances of immersive technology in cardiology

Different forms of immersive technology, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), are getting increasingly invested in medicine. Advances in head-mounted display technology, processing, and rendering power have demonstrated the increasing utility of immersive technology in medicine and the healthcare environment. There are a growing number of publications on using immersive technology in cardiology. We reviewed the articles published within the last decade that reported case studies or research that uses or investigates the application of immersive technology in the broad field of cardiology - from education to preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance. We summarized the advantages and disadvantages of using AR and VR for various application categories. Our review highlights the need for a robust assessment of the effectiveness of the methods and discusses the technical limitations that hinder the complete integration of AR and VR in cardiology, including cost-effectiveness and regulatory compliance. Despite the limitations and gaps that have inhibited us from benefiting from immersive technologies' full potential in cardiology settings to date, its promising, impactful future for standard cardiovascular care is undoubted.