Virtual hospitals and digital doctors: how far are we from the CardioVerse?

Nonfungible Tokens in Cardiovascular Medicine

The integration of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) in health care, particularly in cardiovascular medicine, represents a disruptive shift toward enhancing the security and interconnection of electronic health data around the patient. NFTs, unique digital certificates stored on a blockchain network, bind various sources of health data to their owner (the patient) and delineate the access rights for stakeholders (providers, researchers) using smart contracts. Data sources might include electronic medical records from different hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, test centres, and mHealth devices. Accordingly, patients and their providers benefit from seamless visibility of diagnoses, medications, electrocardiograms, imaging, home blood pressure logs, and artificial intelligence-enabled insights from these aggregated data. Rather than being stored on proprietary servers, data are encrypted and stored on decentralized networks with a unified point of access and immutable proof of ownership, making them more robust to theft or tampering. As custodians of their NFTs, patients are incentivized to actively partake in their health monitoring and self-driven research that aligns with their needs using innovative marketplaces that allow them to browse studies, document their informed consent, and monetize their contributions. Furthermore, they are empowered to educate themselves and seek care across siloes in traditional settings or virtual platforms such as the metaverse, where NFTs serve as digital passports. Despite these exciting prospects, adoption within the health care sector remains in its infancy, with ethical and technical limitations still being addressed. In this article we explore the multifaceted applications and key players in the field, and outline use-cases for patient-centred cardiovascular care featuring NFTs.

Metaverse-based cardiac magnetic resonance imaging simulation application for overcoming claustrophobia: a preliminary feasibility trial

Introduction: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is vital, but claustrophobia affects 10% of patients. The metaverse, an immersive virtual and augmented reality environment, has healthcare potential. We present a metaverse-based CMR simulation for claustrophobic patients. Methods: Three cardiomyopathy patients, initially CMR-refusing due to claustrophobia, received training via a virtual reality headset in a metaverse-based virtual hospital. Training efficacy was assessed through questionnaires and anxiety scales. Results: The patients successfully completed metaverse-based training, adapting to the CMR simulation. On CMR day, all entered the machine without issues and with reduced anxiety. Patients found the training useful, suggesting platform familiarization. Discussion: Our study demonstrates the metaverse's potential in alleviating CMR-related claustrophobia. The immersive nature enhances patient preparation, although usability improvements are needed. Further research should compare this approach with alternatives.

Cardiology in the digital era: from artificial intelligence to Metaverse, paving the way for future advancements

Tweetable abstract Cardiology's digital revolution: AI diagnoses, ChatGPT consults, Metaverse educates. Challenges & promises explored. #CardiologyTech #DigitalHealth.