Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi treats cardiovascular anomalies with 3D printing

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 Group, in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi, used 3D printing technology to print a 3D model of the heart and plan a complex surgical procedure on 41-year-old patient Mian Mohamed Shabbie, who suffers from a rare cardiovascular anomaly.

The technology, developed by NYU Abu Dhabi’s Core Technology Platform, involves three key steps: First, a 3D image reconstruction is performed, in which a digital three-dimensional model of the patient’s anatomy is created from diagnostic image data. This is followed by 3D slicing, in which the individual structures of the heart are analyzed in detail. Finally, a physical 3D model of the heart is printed, which serves the surgeons as a tangible basis for preoperative planning.

Explaining the case, Dr. Houssam Younes, Department Chair for Vascular Surgery within the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said, “Kommerell’s diverticulum is a rare cardiovascular abnormality, even more so when combined with a right-sided aortic arch, as seen in only 0.03% of people worldwide. Due to its asymptomatic nature or presentation with symptoms commonly associated with other conditions, these congenital deformities are infrequently detected, calling for a high level of physician and technological expertise during surgical interventions.”

3D printing technology plays a crucial role in the precise preparation for complex operations. In this case, the patient Mian Mohamed Shabbie suffered from a rare aortic anomaly. The aorta, which normally branches off to the left of the heart, ran to the right in his case and had a Kommerell’s diverticulum-type aneurysm. This rare combination poses a particular challenge for surgical interventions.

Dr. Yazan Aljabery, Cardiac Surgeon within the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, explained, “Correcting a case of Kommerell’s diverticulum when the aorta arches left, as is typical, is relatively straightforward because the deformity is accessible and visible. However, when the vessel arches right, as in this case, the defect is obscured by other large vessels, making surgical interventions particularly challenging. Using a 3D-printed model in such cases enhances the safety of the procedure and allows for more precise and tailored surgery.”

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, which is recognized by the Abu Dhabi Health Authority as a center of excellence in adult cardiac surgery, underscores the importance of 3D printing technologies in modern medicine through this collaboration. These technologies are of great benefit not only in the field of cardiac surgery, but also in other medical disciplines involving complex anatomical structures. Ongoing research aims to further exploit the potential of these technologies and apply them in other medical fields.