Introduction: Structural heart interventions rely on meticulous planning with multimodal imaging (1). Technological advancements now enable digital 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from CT, MRI, and echocardiography (1). The next level of preprocedural planning for complex structural heart interventions includes in silico 3D printed models (2,3).
Methods and Results: The utilization of 3-dimensional printing for structural heart interventions at the University Hospital of Split has allowed us to anticipate potential challenges and tailor our approach to each patient’s unique anatomy. Importantly, this methodology is exclusively designed for ex vivo planning purposes to simulate and plan complex structural heart interventions before the actual procedure (2,3). The protocol includes advanced computation of the 3-dimensional digital reconstructions from different imaging modalities (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or echocardiography), followed by the model optimization and translation to appropriate digital files, as well as the final 3-dimensional printing. Based on the structural intervention, this protocol may include a priori integration of predefined therapeutic devices into the model (e.g. heart valves; clips; occluders; etc.), or a posteriori integration of these devices as a separate in silico model. Finally, the 3-dimensional models need to undergo post-processing phase to achieve its final form. This approach has facilitated planning for complex transcatheter aortic valve interventions (Figure 1), percutaneous paravalvular leak and intracardiac fistula closures (Figure 2), mitral valve interventions, and more. Aligned with existing literature, 3D printing optimizes workflow, improves procedural efficiency, and enhances communication within multidisciplinary teams by offering tangible, detailed visualizations of cardiac anatomy (2,3).
Conclusions: The integration of 3D printing with the planning of structural heart interventions at the University Hospital of Split has multiple favourable effects, overall improving the procedural efficiency. Given its well-documented benefits in experienced centres worldwide, broader adoption of this methodology is warranted.