A virtual cardiac catheterization laboratory for patient education: The angiogram procedure

A coronary angiogram is a procedure that employs X-ray imaging to view the blood vessels of a patient's heart. Although the procedure is common and routine, it can still be a frightening experience for the patient. Educating the patient about the procedure they will undergo helps reduce this fear while increasing the patient's understanding and awareness, ultimately leading to greater patient outcomes. Here we present a virtual simulation of the angiogram procedure developed specifically for patient education. Using an HTC Vive virtual reality headset, the patient is taken into a virtual catheterization (cath) lab and introduced to the angiogram procedure in a highly immersive, interactive, and engaging virtual environment.