3D Printing Cardiovascular Anatomy: A Single-Centre Experience

Abstract

This chapter presents the experience of the cardiac engineering team within the Centre for Cardiovascular Imaging at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (London, UK) in using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. 3D models can serve different functions towards implementing a patient-specific approach for studying and potentially treating congenital heart disease (CHD). In order to showcase different potential applications, this chapter discusses not only clinical case studies and engineering experiments but also the potential for translation through patients and public involvement and engagement (PPI/E).

Cardiac 3D Printing and its Future Directions

“…(10, 41) A broad range of complex congenital heart anatomies have been reconstructed and 3D printed to enhance surgical planning including: double-outlet right ventricle; (26, 42) atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD);(18, 38, 43, 44) Tetralogy of Fallot(35, 45) as well as hypolastic left heart syndrome. (12, 27, 36) Moreover it has been shown that 3D printed models may assist with the accuracy of ventricular assist device (VAD) cannula placement in patients with congenital heart disease. (42) Detailed reviews of cardiac congenital 3D printed modeling have recently been published.…”

“…In another example, a previously stented aortic coarctation with an abnormal subclavian artery originating from the stent site was 3D printed prior to a repeat intervention. (figure 4) (36). …”

“…Such 3D models are a cheap arena to prevent mistakes and promote innovation, and in some centers a 3D modeling program is already changing how the cardiovascular health professionals practice and prepare for specific structural heart interventions. (8, 34, 36, 37, 51)…”

“…(34, 36, 37, 42, 51) Patient-specific 3D MV models may directly impact our ability to select appropriate patients for structural heart therapy, anticipate procedural complications, and potentially revise and improve the flood of intra-cardiac devices that are rapidly becoming available for therapeutic use.…”

Medical Innovation Taking Form: 3D Printing at The Ottawa Hospital

“…Arterial Phantoms 3D-printed blood vessels are increasingly being used to visualize patient-and pathology-specific states in the field of cardiovascular surgery. Preoperatively, 3D-printed blood vessels can facilitate the selection and intended location of endovascular stents in complex aortic aneurysms and coarctations (16)(17)(18). Likewise, in other settings, 3D-printed blood vessels have been employed to aid surgical practice amongst medical trainees and to evaluate the utility of imaging technologies in endovascular interventions (19,20).…”