Structural and congenital heart disease interventions: the role of three-dimensional printing.

ABSTRACT: Advances in catheter-based interventions in structural and congenital heart disease have mandated an increased demand for three-dimensional (3D) visualisation of complex cardiac anatomy. Despite progress in 3D imaging modalities, the pre- and periprocedural visualisation of spatial anatomy is relegated to two-dimensional flat screen representations. 3D printing is an evolving technology based on the concept of additive manufacturing, where computerised digital surface renders are converted into physical models. Printed models replicate complex structures in tangible forms that cardiovascular physicians and surgeons can use for education, preprocedural planning and device testing. In this review we discuss the different steps of the 3D printing process, which include image acquisition, segm

SUBMITTER: Meier LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5260628 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature