Applications of 3D Printing for Aortic Disease

Abstract

Advances in 3D printing have expanded our ability to diagnose and treat patients with aortic disease. 3D printing is a multidisciplinary approach that involves taking an image, most commonly from a CT or MRI scan, and recreating a virtual 3D model. This virtual model is then printed into a physical prototype that mimics the anatomic and tissue characteristics specific to that patient. The applications for 3D printing in cardiovascular medicine have been geared toward using anatomic models for pre-procedural planning and simulation, the development of patient-specific endografts, and resident and physician education.