It may seem more like an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” in the year 2050 but it’s not; it’s real. Soon cardiologists and possibly other medical specialists will be able to plan and perform complex medical interventions and procedures with the help of augmented reality (AR).

AR is an amazing technology that superimposes computer-generated information on the user’s view of the real world. And it offers a new platform to help doctors better visualize complex medical information, especially before and during complicated medical procedures.

A new self-contained AR device (think really cool virtual reality goggles) is leading the way, allowing surgeons to interactively explore data in three dimensions. Basically, it enables surgeons to superimpose images like CAT scans and MRIs to guide their progress during surgical intervention.

Jihye Jang, a Ph.D. candidate at the Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and colleagues assessed AR's potential to help cardiologists visualize myocardial scarring in the heart as they perform ventricular tachycardia ablation or other electrophysiological interventions on their patients.

The research team's findings, published in PLOS ONE, demonstrate that the new AR technology offers a number of advantages in the surgical suite. "Our report shows the exciting potential that having this complex 3D scar information through augmented reality during the intervention may help guide treatment and ultimately improve patient care,” said Jang.

By projecting three-dimensional images onto a small glass screen which is worn like a diving mask on the surgeon's face, AR provides amazing 3-D depth perception and allows surgeons to interact with the medical data without physically touching a screen or a computer mouse. This is a significant advancement because it will allow surgeons to maintain a sterile environment, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

This report is one of the first efforts to test and report on augmented reality in cardiovascular electrophysiological intervention. "Our next steps will expand the use of AR into treatments for arrhythmia by merging the scar information with electrophysiology data," said Jang.

Exciting days for sure. No doubt this technology is fascinating for surgeons to use but the ultimate goal and benefit is to improve patient care.