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Riga hospital conducts cardiac surgery with 3D-printed replica

Xinhua, December 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Medics at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital performed here a heart surgery using a 3D printed replica of the patient, the hospital's representatives said Tuesday.

Cardiac surgeons used the innovative method to save the life of a 58-year-old patient who was admitted to hospital after a heart attack.

Surgeon Edgars Freilibs, who performed the operation and did the technical planning, said that traditional diagnostics methods were insufficient to determine how to best access the damaged part of the patient's heart.

The 3D printed replica of his heart played a vital role in planning the surgery, Freilibs said.

It took more than 70 hours for the 3D printing experts to process computer tomography data. The printing process itself required about 24 hours.

The surgery went successfully, and the patient was discharged from the hospital on Nov. 23, the hospital informed. Enditem