Three-Dimensional Echocardiography: The Gateway to Virtual Reality!
Virtual reality (VR) is one of the latest developments in cardiac three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound. A VR heart model linked to 3-D echocardiographic image datasets provides the observers spatial information regarding a 3-D image dataset and prevents the "lost in space effect" in difficult and relevant coupled diseases when integrated into 3-D reconstruction software. Standardized echocardiographic views can be selected within the integrated developed VR heart model, and this is the first step to automatic 3-D computations with minimal operator interaction. VR heart models open exciting opportunities in the field of teaching echocardiographic cardiology, diagnosis, and examinable states.
Bruining
Nico
N
AZR Dijkzigt/Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University, Room BD308b, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Roelandt
Jos R. T. C.
JR
Grunst
Gernoth
G
Berlage
Thomas
T
Waldinger
Johannes
J
Mumm
Bernhard
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