Integrating AI, VR, and 3D Modeling: The Future of Personalized Cardiac Care, AHJ December 2025
A recent special article reviewed future applications of visual representations and concepts through artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at enhancing cardiovascular care, medical education, and cardiac research.
This special article is published in December 2025 in the American Heart Journal.
This news article elaborates on the role of technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and 3D modeling, in transforming future visual art applications for personalized cardiac care.
The evolution of futuristic visual arts is driven by the integration of AI and machine learning (ML) alongside immersive experiences that incorporate virtual and augmented realities. These technological integrations create endless possibilities for personalized medicine, medical education, and research.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Staged to Revolutionize Personalized Treatment Decision-Making
Over the last decade, statistical, computational, and physical 3D modeling methodologies have evolved to support clinical decision-making, surgical planning, and overall pathophysiological understanding. These models are constructed by processing routinely acquired clinical 3D imaging data, such as CT, MR, and echocardiography. The evolution of AI tools in cardiovascular care has created opportunities for improved diagnostics, individualized treatment, and outcome prediction through ML applications. Cardiologists can utilize text-to-image AI-generative art platforms to create more engaging and personalized educational content on specific cardiac pathologies and procedures, adjusting the visuals to the patient’s literacy level and sociocultural preferences.
Immersive Technology for Procedural Planning
Immersive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are set to revolutionize procedural planning. VR environments could potentially enable cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to interact with a patient’s cardiovascular anatomy before a procedure, thereby decreasing procedural complications. HeartFlow FFRCT, the first FDA-cleared simulation platform for cardiovascular modeling, uses patient-specific anatomy derived from CT images and non-personalized parameters to objectively measure coronary blood flow. Additionally, Extended Reality (ER) imaging models have been utilized in catheterization laboratories to create real-time 3D digital holograms from rotational angiography, echocardiography and electroanatomic mapping for preoperative planning.
Visualizing Cardiac Electrical Activity and Scar Tissue
In electrophysiology, AI-generative art can be used to generate artistic representations of the heart’s electrical activity from real-time cardiac 3D electroanatomic mapping and ECGs. These customized, patient-derived interactive arts enable cardiologists to visualize arrhythmogenic patterns and scar tissue derived from computational modeling, decreasing the reliance on traditional fluoroscopic methods. Furthermore, visual representation techniques allow research into non-invasive fractional flow reserve measurements using CT angiography data, reducing the need for invasive procedures.
The Role of 3D Printing in Surgical Navigation
Advanced visualization techniques, particularly 3D printing, demonstrate potential to revolutionize healthcare. The first clinical intracardiac application involved creating mitral valve biomodels using 3D echocardiographic datasets. This model will likely be expanded to structural heart disease and aortic aneurysms, which assist in surgical navigation.
Integrating Visual Art in Future Education & Public Health Outreach
The integration of arts into medical education is a growing trend, with many institutions incorporating visual arts to enhance visual perception skills, develop empathy, and cultivate humanistic aspects of practice. For patients, VR platforms could be beneficial in helping them visualize their coronary artery calcium, thereby ultimately improving adherence to necessary lifestyle modifications. Public health advocates can utilize visual arts, such as public exhibits and AI-generative content, to engage communities in heart attack awareness and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Complementing Visual Art with Technology in Cardiology– The Future Seems Bright
The integration of AI and immersive visual technologies will be instrumental in providing personalized healthcare. Giving patients immersive experiences—such as explaining a heart transplant or the placement of a WATCHMAN device through a physical, interactive environment—will simplify complex procedures and offer comfort and understanding. These advancements are expected to become commonplace within a few years, demonstrating the influence of visual art and technology on improved surgical techniques, tailored care, and the enhancement of both the scientific precision and the humanistic aspects of cardiovascular medicine.
Reference: Ugoala O, Ebubechukwu U, Mares AC, Okeke C, Anosike U, Tamirisa KP, Obuobi S, Gibson CM. Visual art and representation in cardiology: Past, present, and future. Am Heart J. 2025 Dec;290:201-215. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2025.06.016. Epub 2025 Jun 27. PMID: 40582478.
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