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. 2023 Sep 30;27(10):573-579.
doi: 10.14744/AnatolJCardiol.2023.3008. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

Mitral Paravalvular Leak 3D Printing from 3D-Transesophageal Echocardiography

Marek Jedrzejek  1 , Michal Kozlowski  1 , Ewa Peszek-Przybyla  1 , Tomasz Jadczyk  1 , Piotr Pysz  1 , Wojciech Wojakowski  1 , Grzegorz Smolka  1
Affiliations

Mitral Paravalvular Leak 3D Printing from 3D-Transesophageal Echocardiography

Marek Jedrzejek et al. Anatol J Cardiol. .

Abstract

Background: Paravalvular leaks can be detected in almost 15% of patients after mitral valve prosthesis implantation. This complication can result in congestive heart failure and hemolysis. Despite advancements in non-invasive imaging, percutaneous closure of paravalvular leaks is not always successful. Therefore, efforts are made to improve treatment outcomes by using 3D-printed models of defects as pre-procedural support for interventional cardiologists.

Methods: Retrospectively, 3D-transesophageal echocardiography recordings of 8 patients with clinically significant mitral paravalvular leaks were analyzed. Qlab Software was used to export DICOM images of each paravalvular leak channel, including surrounding tissue. Image segmentation was performed in 3D Slicer, a free, open-source software package used for imaging research. Models were printed to actual size with the poly jet Stratasys Objet 30 printer with a transparent, rigid material.

Results: Duration of model preparation and printing, as well as the total cost, was calculated. Mean total time of model preparation was 430.5 ± 196 minutes.

Conclusion: 3D-printing from 3D-transesophageal echocardiography is technically feasible. Both shape and location of paravalvular leaks are preserved during model preparation and printing. It remains to be tested if 3D-printing would improve outcomes of percutaneous paravalvular leaks closure.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Four steps to transfer data from Qlab to Slicer Patcher. Steps 1 and 2 in Qlab. Steps 3 and 4 in Slicer 3D.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Panel A shows initial, uncorrected Cartesian DICOM data prior to conversion with the SlicerHeart extension. Panel B displays corrected version of DICOM data during segmentation. Panel C shows the final STL file after segmentation.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Presentations of pictures from TEE, STL, and printed model for 3 cases. TEE, transesophageal echocardiography.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Printed models. Images a to h represent models 1-8, respectively. Photos were shot at an angle that allowed the best visualization of the PVL. Blue paint was used to highlight the mitral prosthesis and red paint to show the tissues surrounding the PVL channel. PVL, paravalvular leak.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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