Advantages of 3D printed ASD models based on 3D-TEE images
The clinical diagnosis and treatment of Atrial septal defect (ASD)
mainly depends on echocardiography images. But the 2D images often lack
of pivotal spatial information and fully measurable morphological
parameters, higher requirements are raised for the cardiologists and
cardiovascular surgeons to a mental conversion of 2D data into a 3D
understanding of the spatial relationships of intracardiac
structures9. Although 3D images can show the
morphology of ASD more comprehensive, in patients with complex types
such as ASD with atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), ASD with multi holes, ASD
of inferior vena cava type and ASD with rim deficiency, 3D-TEE has been
less beneficial for the intuitive and accurate surgical operation plan.
The emerging 3D printing technology is a process that a solid, patient
specific physical 3D model is created through layer-by-layer
superposition molding from rendered computer-generated images, which
makes it possible to create patient-specific 3D models based on imaging
data15. These tangible models of patient anatomy have
demonstrated value in education, simulation, and surgical
planning16. 3D printed ASD models can not only
provides a more intuitive 3D perspective, comprehensively shows the
morphological structure of the lesion to improves the diagnostic
accuracy, but also provides haptic feel, enabling the surgeon to a more
realistically understanding for the deformation of the surgical area
produced by external pressure during the operation and help plan the
surgical approach to enhance the success rate of the
treatment17,18. The size and shape of ASD can be
observed intuitively, and the simulated interventional treatment can be
performed on the model, which may provide more information for the
therapy.
Compared with CT, which is the most commonly used medical imaging
modalities for 3D image generation, echocardiography has a superior
ability to image fast moving structures such as cardiac valves and
intracardiac defect and directly display the area of interest and
intracardiac defects with high image resolution6.
Moreover, 3D-TEE is an important imaging method that plays a critical
role in the process of preoperative diagnosis, intraoperative monitoring
and postoperative efficacy evaluation of ASD. Using 3D-TEE images as the
data source of 3D printed ASD models can combine the advantages of
echocardiography and 3D printing technology effectively.