Quantitative Assessment of 3D Printed Model Accuracy in Delineating Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is promising in medical applications, especially presurgical planning and the simulation of congenital heart disease (CHD). Thus, it is clinically important to generate highly accurate 3D-printed models in replicating cardiac anatomy and defects. The present study aimed to investigate the accuracy of the 3D-printed CHD model by comparing them with computed tomography (CT) images and standard tessellation language (STL) files. Methods: Three models were printed, comprising different CHD pathologies, including the tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), ventricular septal defect (VSD) and double-outlet right-ventricle (DORV). The ten anatomical locations were measured in each comparison. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Bland–Altman analysis and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) determined the model accuracy. Results: All measurements with three printed models showed a strong correlation (r = 0.99) and excellent reliability (ICC = 0.97) when compared to original CT images, CT images of the 3D-printed models, STL files and 3D-printed CHD models. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the high accuracy of 3D-printed heart models with excellent correlation and reliability when compared to multiple source data. Further investigation into 3D printing in CHD should focus on the clinical value and the benefits to patients.

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Clinical Value of Virtual Reality Versus 3D Printing in Congenital Heart Disease

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11060884 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 884

Author(s):

Ivan Lau ◽

Ashu Gupta ◽

Zhonghua Sun

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Congenital Heart Disease ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Heart Disease ◽

3D Printing ◽

Congenital Heart ◽

Preoperative Planning ◽

Clinical Value ◽

Significant Difference ◽

3D Printed

Both three-dimensional (3D) printing and virtual reality (VR) are reported as being superior to the current visualization techniques in conveying more comprehensive visualization of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, little is known in terms of their clinical value in diagnostic assessment, medical education, and preoperative planning of CHD. This cross-sectional study aims to address these by involving 35 medical practitioners to subjectively evaluate VR visualization of four selected CHD cases in comparison with the corresponding 3D printed heart models (3DPHM). Six questionnaires were excluded due to incomplete sections, hence a total of 29 records were included for the analysis. The results showed both VR and 3D printed heart models were comparable in terms of the degree of realism. VR was perceived as more useful in medical education and preoperative planning compared to 3D printed heart models, although there was no significant difference in the ratings (p = 0.54 and 0.35, respectively). Twenty-one participants (72%) indicated both the VR and 3DPHM provided additional benefits compared to the conventional medical imaging visualizations. This study concludes the similar clinical value of both VR and 3DPHM in CHD, although further research is needed to involve more cardiac specialists for their views on the usefulness of these tools.

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Personalized Three-Dimensional Printed Models in Congenital Heart Disease

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8040522 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 522 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Sun ◽

Lau ◽

Wong ◽

Yeong

Keyword(s):

Congenital Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Congenital Heart ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Future Research ◽

Imaging Data ◽

Doctor Patient Communication ◽

Medical Education And Training ◽

3D Printed

Patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) printed models have been increasingly used in cardiology and cardiac surgery, in particular, showing great value in the domain of congenital heart disease (CHD). CHD is characterized by complex cardiac anomalies with disease variations between individuals; thus, it is difficult to obtain comprehensive spatial conceptualization of the cardiac structures based on the current imaging visualizations. 3D printed models derived from patient’s cardiac imaging data overcome this limitation by creating personalized 3D heart models, which not only improve spatial visualization, but also assist preoperative planning and simulation of cardiac procedures, serve as a useful tool in medical education and training, and improve doctor–patient communication. This review article provides an overall view of the clinical applications and usefulness of 3D printed models in CHD. Current limitations and future research directions of 3D printed heart models are highlighted.

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