CCTA was performed using retrospective gating utilizing a 256-slice scanner (Brilliance iCT; Philips Healthcare, Cleveland, OH, USA) with 70 ml of intravenous non-ionic contrast medium (Iomeron 350, Bracco, Milano, Italy) followed by 40 ml of saline flush (at an injection rate of 4–5 ml/s). The CCTA data were reconstructed using a dedicated platform (Comprehensive Cardiac Analysis, Extended Brilliance Workspace (version 4.5); Philips Healthcare). Volumetric analysis was conducted using the best available diastolic phase that represented 80%–90% of the R-R interval.
The VR simulated heart models were created retrospectively based on the same CCTA data collected for each patient. Images were uploaded as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files into D2P® software (3D Systems Inc. Littleton CO, USA) for cardiac chamber segmentation. The mesh files were converted into stereolithography (STL) format files that describe 3D objects’ surface geometry. The operator was able to see the resulting segmentation in a stereoscopic view using a dedicated system (Vive System, HTC, San Francisco, CA, USA).
The VR simulated heart models were created retrospectively based on the same CCTA data collected for each patient. Images were uploaded as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files into D2P® software (3D Systems Inc. Littleton CO, USA) for cardiac chamber segmentation. The mesh files were converted into stereolithography (STL) format files that describe 3D objects’ surface geometry. The operator was able to see the resulting segmentation in a stereoscopic view using a dedicated system (Vive System, HTC, San Francisco, CA, USA).