ABSTRACT
Transcatheter therapies are a common way to treat cardiovascular diseases. These therapies are complicated by significant anatomical patient-to-patient variations that exist in terms of transcatheter vascular pathways. Adding to the complexity of transcatheter procedures, the training tools used for physician education often overlook vast patient-to-patient variations and utilize idealized models of patient anatomy that may be unrealistic. In this study, anatomically accurate models were created from high-resolution images of real patient vasculatures. Using fourteen human cadavers donated for research, we collected high-resolution images to generate 3D computational renderings of various patient anatomies. These models make up the "Transcatheter Pathways Vasculature Database" that can be used for physician education and training, as well as improving transcatheter delivery system design. We performed multiple studies that emphasize the anatomical differences that exist in patient vasculatures. Using 3D printing and virtual reality, we developed educational materials and benchtop models to train physicians using true patient anatomies. These tools can also provide device designers with data to improve their products based on real patient vessels. The "Transcatheter Pathways Vasculature Database" highlights differences between patient vasculatures. By educating and training physicians with patient anatomies that accurately represent significant patient-to-patient variations, learning is more translatable to what is seen in the clinic.
Subject(s)
Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Models, Anatomic , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Printing, Three-DimensionalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The number of lead extractions is growing because of the greater population and increasing age of individuals with a cardiac implantable electronic device. Lead extraction procedures can be complex undertakings with risk of significant mortality, and vascular tears in the superior vena cava are of greatest concern. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to study whether a novel algorithm that analyzes pre-extraction computed tomographic (CT) images can determine the likelihood and location of lead-lead interactions and lead-vessel attachment within patients' venous vasculatures. This information can be used to identify potential case challenges in the planning stages. METHODS: We developed an algorithm to estimate the presence and position of lead-lead interactions and lead-vessel adherences by tracking distance between the leads and distance between the lead and superior vena cava in a sample of 12 patients referred to the United Heart and Vascular Clinic for lead extractions due to infection (n = 5), lead failure (n = 5), and tricuspid regurgitation (n = 2). RESULTS: Preliminary results indicate that the developed algorithm successfully identified lead-lead and lead-vascular attachments compared to review of CT images by medical experts. CONCLUSION: With future validation and clinical implementation, this algorithm could aid physician preparedness by minimizing intraprocedural emergencies and may improve patient outcomes.
Subject(s)
Algorithms , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/therapy , Defibrillators, Implantable , Device Removal/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Retrospective Studies , Vena Cava, SuperiorABSTRACT
A pioneering surgeon at the University of Minnesota, Dr C. Walton Lillehei, is still considered the "father of open-heart surgery". Dr Lillehei and his surgical team performed the first open-heart operations utilizing cross-circulation, including the first successful ventricular septal defect closure on a 3-year-old boy. Before his death at age 67, this patient arranged to donate his body to the University of Minnesota's Anatomy Bequest program. We describe this patient's medical history, and present unique images of internal/external cardiac anatomies and implanted devices obtained via direct visualizations, computed tomography, and fluoroscopy post-mortem. Additionally, we present computational models and 3-dimensional printed models.
