The Role of 3D Printing in Cardiac Surgery for Congenital Heart Diseases

3D printing is revolutionizing various industries, enabling the creation of intricate, customized physical models by layering materials such as silicone or polymers based on digital designs. Among its diverse applications, healthcare has seen significant advancements with this technology.

In cardiology, the adoption of 3D modeling has lagged compared to other fields, primarily due to the challenge of depicting the heart’s complex, dynamic nature. This pattern mirrors the initial slow integration of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging into cardiac care — technologies that were first widely used in non-cardiac specialties before transforming cardiovascular diagnosis and management.^, Over the last decade, however, 3D printing has emerged as a transformative tool in cardiac surgery, enhancing visualization, preoperative planning, and patient outcomes.

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