3D Printed Models of Complex Anatomy in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has undergone rapid developments over the last decades. The application of 3D printing has reached beyond the engineering field to medicine, with research showing many applications in cardiovascular disease. Due to the complexity of the cardiovascular system, application of 3D printing technology has shown potential value to benefit patients with cardiovascular disease. This mini-review provides an overview of applications of 3D printing in cardiovascular disease, with evidence of some of examples using patient-specific 3D printed models in the two common cardiovascular diseases, aortic dissection and abdominal aortic aneurysm.