Background: Post-infarct ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is a serious complication of myocardial infarction. We evaluated 3D-printing models in PIVSD clinical assessment and the feasibility of statistical shape modeling for morphological analysis of the defects. Methods: Models (n = 15) reconstructed from computed tomography data were evaluated by clinicians (n = 8). Statistical shape modeling was performed on 3D meshes to calculate the mean morphological configuration of the defects. Results: Clinicians’ evaluation highlighted the models’ utility in displaying defects for interventional/surgical planning, education/training and device development. However, models lack dynamic representation. Morphological analysis was feasible and revealed oval-shaped (n = 12) and complex channel-like (n = 3) defects. Conclusion: 3D-PIVSD models can complement imaging data for teaching and procedural planning. Statistical shape modeling is feasible in this scenario.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the British Heart Foundation (CH/17/1/32804), the Bristol BHF Accelerator Award (AA/18/1/34219), The Grand Appeal (Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity), and the Bristol National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Table 1: Examples of feedback from clinicians in relation to dominant themes from analysis of model evaluation.

Peer reviewed