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3D printed heart model first used in Finland for pre-surgical planning

Xinhua, June 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Cardiopulmonary Center of Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH) has used 3D printing technology to create a model of a patient's heart for pre-surgical planning, reported Finnish News Agency STT Thursday.

The program was believed to be the first time in Finland to apply 3D technology in heart surgery.

The patient had taken a heart surgery when he/she was a child. After many years, a hole was found at his/her atrioventricular canal, said STT.

A team of cardiologists at HUCH used a 3D printed heart model in planning a surgery for the patient.

Juha Sinisalo, senior doctor from the cardiopulmonary center, said that with the help of the heart model, the surgery will be more comfortable for patients.

The procedure time is shortened, and radiation dose used on patients decreases, he added.

The operation is safer, as cardiologists can try the suitability of different sized catheters on the same sized heart model with the unique anatomy of the patient's heart, explained Sinisalo.

According to Sinisalo, in the future, one 3D printed heart model would be needed every month in the hospital. The technology used in planning heart surgery is suitable for patients with very abnormal heart structure.

The world first printed heart was created in the United States in June 2013. Helsinki University Central Hospital of Finland has applied 3D printing technology earlier in planning a maxillofacial surgery. Endit