Comparison of 3D Echocardiogram Derived 3D Printed Valve Models to Molded Models for Simulated Repair of Pediatric Atrioventricular Valves

摘要

BackgroundMastering the technical skills required to perform pediatric cardiac valve surgery is challenging in part due to limited opportunity for practice. Transformation of 3D echocardiographic (echo) images of congenitally abnormal heart valves to realistic physical models could allow patient-specific simulation of surgical valve repair. We compared materials, processes, and costs for 3D printing and molding of patient-specific models for visualization and surgical simulation of congenitally abnormal heart valves.