Three-Dimensional Printing of Cardiac Defects Using Stereolithography: A Single-Centre Experience

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is increasingly being used for congenital heart disease to allow an in-depth understanding of complex cardiac anatomy; however, access to 3D printing is hindered by lack of access. This study investigated the feasibility of rapid prototyping (RP)using a readily available on-site 3D printer. Patients with complex cardiac anatomy were prospectively identified. All patients underwent ECG-gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) examination as part of standard preprocedural work-up. Contrasting timing was modified to allow maximum contrast enhancement of the relevant anatomy. Using the CT dataset, 3D mesh was generated using open-source 3D software. The 3D models were printed using liquid resin stereolithography technology. To assess the accuracy of the model produced, measurement of the mid ascending aorta was compared with measurement taken from the CT. Over an 18-month period, 10 patients with complex cardiac defects underwent further assessment with 3D printed models. The average processing time to generate a 3D mesh was 6 hours and the time for printing the model varied between 4 and 8 hours depending on the model size. The aortic measurements on the 3D model had excellent correlation with measurements taken from CT (33.4±3.3 mm vs 34±3.6 mm; Pearson correlation 0.938; p<0.005). 3D printing using a CT dataset via readily available 3D printers is feasible and enables an in-depth appreciation of complex cardiac anatomy, which helps to guide patient management.