Cardiac Valve Placement Optimized by 3D Printing

Henry Ford Innovations uses 3D-printed heart models to transform cardiac care, providing three-dimensional precision beyond standard imaging.

These models surpass CT scans by simulating valve placement and selection, ensuring precise fit in complex cases and reducing leakage risks like heart failure.

In the video William O’Neill, MD, shares a case of how 3D printing saved a patient's life. A patient arrived needing a mitral valve repair, but a 3D-printed model revealed a deadly threat: the planned valve would choke off the heart’s blood flow, dooming her. This wasn’t evident in the normal CT scan. The team swiftly abandoned the procedure, likely sparing her life.

The 3D-printed models enhance surgical precision, minimize complications like valve leakage, and improve patient outcomes.

 

Note that our 3D printing services are exclusively available to Henry Ford Health professionals to support surgical planning and patient care. Requests from individuals or organizations outside the HFH system cannot be accommodated.