We’ve often seen physicians use 3D printed heart models to help during surgeries, but a group of researchers from China published a paper on using them to help with an alternative to surgery for repairing secundum atrial septal defect (ASD), a rare congenital defect characterized by a hole in the wall between the atria.

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Their goal was to evaluate how feasible it was to use a single device to close several ASDs guided by the 3D printed heart model and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Due to interference between devices and threat of repeat intervention, it’s difficult to use multiple devices simultaneously, or in staged device closure, in percutaneous transcatheter closure of an ASD. But using an over-sized device, can tear the atrial septum. So the best plan is to use single device closure for patients with multiple ASDs, as it preserves the anatomical structure. “However, this strategy is technically challenging […]

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