Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi, has successfully harnessed the potential of 3D printing to create a three-dimensional model of a heart and develop a surgical intervention plan for a 41-year-old patient with a rare cardiovascular anomaly.
This innovative technique was developed through NYU Abu Dhabi’s primary technology platform, which can be used in various fields, including cardiovascular and neurological conditions.
The 3D printing process consists of three stages: reconstructing 3D images, slicing, and finally, 3D printing.
The reconstruction stage involves creating a 3D model from diagnostic imaging data to provide a digital framework illustrating the patient’s anatomical structure.
The slicing stage allows for more precise analyses of the patient’s anatomy and organs in greater detail.
Finally, the 3D printing stage involves creating a replica of the patient’s anatomical structure that surgeons can hold, examine, and use for surgical planning and simulation.
This technology is crucial for understanding the unique challenges of each case, enabling a more detailed and tailored surgical approach with the highest precision and minimal risk.
When the patient, Mian Muhammad Shabi, was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi due to his critical condition, he was suffering from complications caused by a congenital malformation in his aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart.
In his case, the aorta, which typically forms a left arch after exiting the heart, was directed to the right side with a significant dilation of the blood vessels. This dilation, known as “Kommerell’s diverticulum,” is a rare condition containing one of the main branches of the aorta with a bulge at its origin.
Dr Houssam Younes, Head of Vascular Surgery at the Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, explained, “Kommerell’s diverticulum is one of the rare congenital abnormalities in the cardiovascular system. It is even rarer when accompanied by a right aortic arch, occurring in only 0.03% of the global population.”
He added, “Due to their asymptomatic nature or symptoms typically associated with other conditions, these congenital abnormalities are rarely detected, requiring high medical expertise and advanced techniques during surgical interventions.”
