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Utility of 3 Dimensional Printing of Hearts with Complex Congenital Heart Disease in the Education of Pediatric Trainees and Sonographers
Author(s) -
Prasad Deepa,
Ashwath Ravi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.787.7
Subject(s) - heart disease , medicine , psychological intervention , medical physics , magnetic resonance imaging , test (biology) , radiology , cardiology , paleontology , psychiatry , biology
Background Complex congenital heart defects (CCHD) are often hard to describe and understand. Visualization of the CCHD in 3 dimensional (3‐D) views based on the two dimensional data obtained by echocardiograms and computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a daunting task. However, the interventions have to be based on and carried out in a 3‐D environment. These kind of disconnect between 2 D imaging and interventions in the 3D space pose a challenge to communicate effectively to the novice trainees and sonographers. With recent technological advancements in cardiac CT and MRI, it is possible to obtain excellent 3D reconstructions of the heart that can be used to rapidly and economically create 3D models of the heart. This can add value and improve understanding of complex heart defects especially of the CCHD. There is no data at present regarding its utility in using it as an educational tool. We aim to assess if 3‐D printing of the heart models would lead to improved understanding of congenital heart disease by trainees. Methods Pediatric residents, sonographers and cardiology fellows were randomly recruited and provided with a pretest questionnaire to assess their baseline understanding of normal and abnormal cardiac anatomy. CT and MRI scans were shown to the trainees initially prior to completion of pretest questionnaire. The trainees were then allowed to hold and examine the 3‐D heart models, after which a post test questionnaire is given to them. Data were analyzed to assess the improvement in understanding of CCHD, based on a scoring system. Preliminary results A total of 10 subjects (5 pediatric residents, 2 sonographers and 2 cardiology fellows) were included in the pilot study. 80% of the residents, 100% of the sonographers and fellows felt that their understanding of congenital heart disease improved with 3‐D heart models and 100% of the study subjects felt that 3‐D models should be absolutely utilized in the education of pediatric trainees. Future directions We will print more heart models and recruit atleast 100 subjects to achieve statistical power. Conclusion 3‐D heart models can prove to be an effective educational tool for pediatric trainees to improve understanding of normal and abnormal cardiac anatomy. Support or Funding Information FRAP (Fellowship Research Award Program) grant