Towards Image-guidance for Interventional Cardiac Procedures

  Terry M Peters PhD.

Minimally-invasive cardiac procedures are currently performed either via a vascular route when performing treatments for Atrial Fibrillation etc, or via a laparoscopic (or robotic) approach to perform a coronary artery bypass. Newer potential approaches include accessing intracardial targets directly by placing the instruments through the heart wall (via a novel introducer system). Minimally-invasive therapy of the heart is either hampered or even rendered impossible by the lack of imaging to guide the procedures.  This talk will overview the ongoing project at the Robarts Research Institute in London Canada that is seeking to develop a virtual cardiac visualization environment that can be registered to the patient, and which will incorporate real-time intra-operative ultrasound to guide the surgeon during intracardiac interventions.