18 May 2022
The cathlab of tomorrow... already here today - EuroPCR 2022
Learn all about the innovation and technology that is transforming the way interventional cardiology is practised: Christopher Cook provides his insight.
“Essentially, all interventional cardiologists are innovators – we want to continually drive practice forward,” says Chris Cook, Anchorperson of a session entitled ‘The cathlab of tomorrow...already here today’. “As doctors, we can do that through the procedural aspects of our interventions, but in parallel to that, we have seen considerable progress on the technology side. There has been the translation of a number of innovations into our everyday clinical practice over recent years, with the gradual and seamless introduction of technological advances into the existing cathlab environment. This allows doctors to focus even more on procedural excellence and obtaining optimal long-term outcomes for our patients.”
Perhaps the biggest current driver of innovation, which was covered in session, is artificial intelligence (AI). “Addressing concerns head-on, there is an understandable degree of mistrust surrounding AI and its role in patient management,” says Chris Cook.
“It is not a replacement for the doctor when it comes to clinical decision making or patient care. Instead, AI can be used to great effect as an expert-level interpretation or additional opinion for the operator/physician. This approach is analogous with the Heart Team approach we are increasingly aiming to deliver our patients.”
The session discussed the use of AI to interpret intracoronary imaging, particularly optical coherence tomography, as well as its role in monitoring complex data streams, such as invasive haemodynamics, and how it can automate certain safety aspects of procedures. “In effect, AI allows every cardiologist access to expert-level interpretation, which can ultimately help to guide precision PCI practice,” explains Chris Cook.
The session also looked at robotic PCI procedures, a field that is constantly and steadily innovating to the point where more complex procedures can now be performed by robotics. According to Chris Cook, “This technology is really important for reducing long-term radiation exposure for operators – a clear goal we’re all working towards. In addition, with time, we will have the capability to reliably perform procedures remotely and this opens the opportunity to extend levels of excellence globally.”
Interventional Cardiology Center, Jagiellonian University Hospital, Poland - Source: EuroIntervention
Multimodal imaging and fusion imaging are also transforming the care we can deliver in the cathlab. “We are taking on increasingly complex procedures, which all involve an appreciation (and mental reconstruction) of complex 3D anatomies from limited, grey-scale 2D fluoroscopy only. Technologies that seamlessly fuse 2D images with the 3D planning images should not only improve our understanding of anatomies but also increase our procedural success.” Last, but far from least, the session will be showcasing augmented reality, which can allow operators to have remote procedural support from experts and proctors.
“Technological advances already entering the cathlab will lead to the globalisation of excellence and will open up transformative cardiac procedures to patients across the world.”
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