Rapid Prototyping in Cardiac Disease by Kanwal Majeed Farooqi

Author:Kanwal Majeed Farooqi
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer International Publishing, Cham

Challenges of Conventional Imaging in ACHD and 3D Printing from Echocardiography

ACHD patients often require complex and intricate cardiac surgery or catheterization requiring 3D spatial conceptualization of defects to achieve optimal repair and outcome. 3D visualization of the heart is integrated into today’s image guided diagnosis and intervention but is limited on 2D display systems. Current conventional imaging modalities such as 2D transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography may not reveal spatial relationships of cardiac lesions adequately. 3D printing can overcome these limitations by producing 3D replicas of exact proportions to the native anatomy. Lesions in ACHD that can benefit from 3D modeling include but are not limited to: inflow or outflow obstructions, baffle and conduit stenosis, residual shunts, and complex intracardiac anatomy.

While conventional 2D echocardiography has limitations in ACHD, it is important to note that it should be used to complement MRI and CT datasets in 3D printing, as it provides superior visualization of certain cardiac structures. Given its high temporal and spatial resolution for thin, mobile structures, it can resolve structures such as atrioventricular (AV) valves and the atrial septum better than MRI or CT. Early investigations with 3D echocardiography have shown promising feasibility and accuracy for 3D printing [7, 8].

As with MRI and CT, 3D modeling from echocardiography is contingent on a high-quality source dataset to avoid inaccuracies in the printed model [9]. This may be achieved with a high frame rate image acquisition, optimization of settings, and meticulous post-processing [8]. For highly accurate models of the valve apparatus, a combination of a high spatial resolution image dataset, robust image post-processing software, and a multimaterial 3D printer are needed. As the technology advances, 3D printing from echocardiography may facilitate novel transcatheter and surgical valve intervention and replacement strategies [10, 11]. By co-registering echocardiographic, MRI and CT datasets it may be possible to produce models that utilize the strengths of complementary imaging modalities.

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