A practical guide to cardiovascular 3D printing in clinical practice: Overview and examples

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Surgery

Background:

• 3D image processing and printing technologies have advanced significantly.
• Affordable, anatomically accurate models are now more achievable.
• These models show promise for surgical planning in complex congenital and structural heart disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a clinical overview of creating 3D printable models from imaging data.
• To review 3D printing technologies and their clinical applications.
• To discuss challenges and opportunities in the field.

Main Methods:

• Image acquisition, processing, and segmentation techniques for creating printable files.
• Review of various 3D printing technologies, including their advantages and disadvantages.
• Description of clinical scenarios where 3D printing aids therapeutic challenges.

Main Results:

• 3D printing enables the creation of patient-specific anatomical models.
• These models facilitate procedural and surgical planning for complex cardiac conditions.
• Emerging applications include bio-printing, hemodynamic modeling, and implantable devices.

Conclusions:

• Standardized methods are needed to transition from imaging data to complete 3D models.
• The choice of technology depends on the specific anatomy and intended use of the model.
• 3D printing is a valuable tool for addressing therapeutic challenges in cardiovascular medicine.