Development of three-dimensional cardiac models from computed tomography angiography

Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and printing is an emerging technology in veterinary cardiovascular medicine allowing the fabrication of anatomically correct patient-specific models. These patient-specific models can be used for a wide range of purposes including medical teaching, assessment of cardiac function and movement of valve leaflets, design and assessment of devices created for interventional procedures, and pre-surgical planning [1-3]. Additionally, these 3D models can facilitate communication between the clinical team and the patient's owner. The process of creating 3D models starts with acquiring volumetric imaging data sets of the area of interest. Three-dimensional modeling and printing are reliable when high-quality volumetric imaging data are used to create these models. Currently, only ungated- and electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), and 3D echocardiography provide the volumetric data sets needed to create these 3D models. These imaging data sets are imported into a software or open-source freeware platform and then segmented to create a virtual 3D model. This virtual 3D model can be further refined using computer-aided design (CAD) software and then be printed to create a physical 3D model. Cardiovascular 3D modeling and printing is a new medical tool which allows us to expand the way we plan interventional procedures, practice interventional skills, communicate with the medical team and owner, and teach future veterinarians.