Physical reproduction of cardiac structures. A new field of investigation in cardiology.

A new technique of physical reproduction of cardiac anatomy has been develo ped from volumetric data and its practical value assessed in cardiological practice. The acquisition of the volumetric data was by 3D echocardiography. Parallel and equidistant 2D views were selected from this information. The images w ere printed at a scale adjusted to the true dimensions of the structures of interest and then stuck on a support, the thickness of which was identical to the distance between the views, and the slices were superimposed while respecting the initial orientation. This technique has been adapted secondarily to modern industrial processes of rapid prototyping (30 printing and powdering) allowing automatic tooling of models. Several physical models have been made: whole heart in end diastole, mitral valve stenosis and prolapse, atrial septal defect with insertion of a perc utaneous prosthetic device, great vessels at the base of the heart. There are many possible cardiological applications of physical models: inve stigation of complex cardiac disease, pre- and per-operative simulation of surgical procedures, elaboration of prosthetic material, physiopathological studies, teaching and training, patient information.