3D-printed models for left atrial appendage occlusion planning were successfully applied in 10 cases, demonstrating good correlation with standard software for device selection.
Do 3D-printed LAA models improve procedure planning and device selection in patients undergoing LAAO?
A detailed workflow for creating 3D-printed LAA models provides a useful auxiliary planning tool for LAAO procedures, correlating well with standard software.
Purpose Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a structural interventional cardiology procedure that offers several possibilities for the application of additive manufacturing technologies. The literature shows a growing interest in the use of 3D-printed models for LAAO procedure planning and occlusion device choice. This study aims to describe a full workflow to create a 3D-printed LAA model for LAAO procedure planning. Design/methodology/approach The workflow starts with the patient’s computed tomography diagnostic image selection. Segmentation in a commercial software provides initial geometrical models in standard tessellation language (STL) format that are then preprocessed for print in dedicated software. Models are printed using a commercial stereolithography machine and postprocessing is performed. Findings Models produced with the described workflow have been used at the Careggi Hospital of Florence as LAAO auxiliary planning tool in 10 cases of interest, demonstrating a good correlation with state-of-the-art software for device selection and improving the surgeon’s understanding of patient anatomy and device positioning. Originality/value 3D-printed models for the LAAO planning are already described in the literature. The novelty of the article lies in the detailed description of a robust workflow for the creation of these models. The robustness of the method is demonstrated by the coherent results obtained for the 10 different cases studied.
Stomaci et al. (Tue,) conducted a other in Left atrial appendage occlusion (n=10). 3D-printed models for procedure planning vs. State-of-the-art software was evaluated on Correlation with state-of-the-art software for device selection and surgeon understanding. 3D-printed models for left atrial appendage occlusion planning were successfully applied in 10 cases, demonstrating good correlation with standard software for device selection.