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Updated: Aug 7, 2025

Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Assessment of post-infarct ventricular septal defects through 3D printing and statistical shape analysis
Ashar Asif1, Andrew Iu Shearn1,2, Mark S Turner2
1Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Upper Maudlin St, Bristol, BS2 8HW, UK.
Background:
Post-infarct ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is a serious complication of myocardial infarction. We evaluated 3D-printing models in PIVSD clinical assessment and the feasibility of statistical shape modeling for morphological analysis of the defects.
Methods:
Models (n = 15) reconstructed from computed tomography data were evaluated by clinicians (n = 8). Statistical shape modeling was performed on 3D meshes to calculate the mean morphological configuration of the defects.
Results:
Clinicians' evaluation highlighted the models' utility in displaying defects for interventional/surgical planning, education/training and device development. However, models lack dynamic representation. Morphological analysis was feasible and revealed oval-shaped (n = 12) and complex channel-like (n = 3) defects.
Conclusion:
3D-PIVSD models can complement imaging data for teaching and procedural planning. Statistical shape modeling is feasible in this scenario.

