Three-dimensional printing in congenital heart disease

Area of Science:

• Medical technology
• Cardiology
• Surgical planning

Background:

• Three-dimensional printing (3Dp) has emerged as a significant tool in medicine.
• Its application in congenital heart disease (CHD) is growing due to the complexity of these conditions.
• 3Dp models offer a unique advantage in being interpretable by multiple medical specialists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of 3Dp applications in congenital heart disease over the past decade.
• To categorize and review the existing literature based on specific applications.
• To highlight the growing role and potential of 3Dp in managing complex cardiac conditions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review focusing on 3Dp in congenital heart disease.
• Categorization of reviewed studies by application area.
• Analysis of the interpretability and utility of 3D printed models across different medical disciplines.

Main Results:

• The literature on 3Dp in CHD is rapidly expanding.
• 3Dp models are increasingly used for surgical planning and education in complex congenital cases.
• Interdisciplinary interpretability of 3D models is a key feature.

Conclusions:

• Three-dimensional printing is a valuable and evolving technology in the field of congenital heart disease.
• Its ability to aid in understanding and planning for complex cardiac lesions is significant.
• Continued research and application are expected to further enhance patient care.