The Impact of Personalized Medicine in the Treatment of Ventricular Septal Defects to Evaluate the Accuracy of Surgery Using 3D Printed Hearts

Abstract

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a well-known anomaly among congenital heart diseases typically diagnosed in infancy. Defects in the ventricular septum cause an interventricular shunt. The excess amount of mixed blood passes through the pulmonary circuit and overfills the lungs, leading to pulmonary hypertension. Approximately 0.3% of infants are born with congenital heart defects, and approximately 20%-30% of them are VSD related. Studies show that mutations in genes, such as NKX2-5 and TBX5, have significant effects on the etiology of VSD. In this study, we suggest a unique perspective. To cure the disease and avoid complications, a personalized approach would be more efficient in surgical operations. Here, we focus on the importance of three-dimensional printing of the patient's heart in critical cases. Inspired from the quote "treat the patient not the disease," we believe that each defect emerges with different outcomes. Using the specific three-dimensional (3D) printed heart model, a thorough preoperative planning of the operation can be achieved. We believe that 3D printers open to medical use will allow the widespread use of this method in the future.