Physical models aiding in complex congenital heart surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to improve spatial imagination of complex congenital cardiac abnormalities for subsequent surgical intervention.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging data of a patient with complex congenital heart malformations was post-processed with software developed at our institution. The resulting virtual surface data sets were printed out three-dimensionally by rapid prototyping techniques.


RESULTS
We present the first patient operated on with intraoperative use of physical models representing the intracardiac volumes (RepliCast) or muscle and vessel walls (RepliCardio). The courses of the coronary arteries were visible on the RepliCast, whereas the RepliCardio showed intracardiac views a surgeon could never obtain intraoperatively in the relaxed heart. Other than on virtual reconstructions presented on computer screens, physical models vastly improve the spatial imagination and give precise information regarding localization and actual size of abnormal structures. The self-explanatory utility of these models shortened preparation and expedited orientation on the open heart.


CONCLUSIONS
The additional spatial information provided by RepliCast and RepliCardio models may enable even high-risk correction procedures in patients with complex congenital heart disease.
Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. sibylle_link@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Sibylle
S
Mottl-Link
Michael
M
Hübler
Titus
T
Kühne
Urte
U
Rietdorf
Julia J
JJ
Krueger
Bernhard
B
Schnackenburg
Raffaele
R
De Simone
Felix
F
Berger
Amy
A
Juraszek
Hans-Peter
HP
Meinzer
Matthias
M
Karck
Roland
R
Hetzer
Ivo
I
Wolf
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity