Three-Dimensional Printed Cardiac Models Demonstrating Extensive Cardiac Calcification Assist in Preprocedural Planning.

Abstract

Cardiac calcification is common in adults with congenital heart disease, typically affecting surgical sites and prosthetic material. Understanding the precise location and degree of calcification is important during the decision-making process prior to possible intervention but can be difficult to determine in different imaging modalities. Advances in three-dimensional (3D) modeling and printing have made it possible to distinguish different tissue types and accurately display them in different colors on printed models. We present two adult congenital heart disease patients where advanced 3D printing was used to demonstrate cardiac calcification and aided the preprocedural planning process.