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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
Three-Dimensional Printing of a Complex Aortic Anomaly
Published on: November 1, 2018
Using 3D Heart Printing for Planning to Repair a Complex Congenital Heart Disease via Minimal Invasive Thoracotomy
Mohammed Abutaqa1, Hamza A Abdul-Hafez2, Hasan Alkhatib3
1Pediatric Cardiology Department, Palestinian Medical Complex, Ramallah, Palestine.
Background:
Cor triatriatum sinister is a rare congenital heart disease that can mimic left atrial obstructive lesions. Symptoms vary based on the severity of obstruction.
Case Summary:
We report a case of a 14-year-old girl with severe exercise intolerance. Echocardiography and computed tomography scan revealed a fibromuscular membrane causing left atrial obstruction and an anomalous venous drainage with a persistent left superior vena cava to the coronary sinus. Surgical intervention is definitive, typically via sternotomy.
Discussion:
Given the complexity and lack of expertise in minimal invasive thoracotomy for such lesions, we used 3-dimensional (3D) heart printing for virtual surgical planning. This approach facilitated a safe and precise repair. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case using 3D printing to enable a minimally invasive thoracotomy for cor triatriatum sinister correction.
Take-Home Messages:
Minimally invasive approaches should not be dismissed for complex congenital heart defects. Multimodal imaging can enhance surgical feasibility.
