Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Uses 3D Printing for Complex Cardiovascular Surgery

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, in partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi, has successfully employed cutting-edge three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to create a 3D model of a heart, facilitating a complex surgical procedure on a 41-year-old patient with a rare cardiovascular anomaly.

The advanced technology, developed by NYU Abu Dhabi’s Core Technology Platform, has broad applications across various medical fields, including cardiovascular and neurological cases. The patient, Mian Mohamed Shabbie, was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in critical condition due to complications from a congenital defect in the aorta, the main blood vessel responsible for carrying blood away from the heart.

Shabbie’s case was particularly challenging because his aorta, which typically forms a left-sided arch after exiting the heart, had an unusual right-sided arch with a large aneurysm. This aneurysm was identified as Kommerell’s diverticulum, a rare condition characterized by a bulge at the origin of one of the aorta’s main branches.

Dr. Houssam Younes, Department Chair for Vascular Surgery at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, explained the rarity and complexity of the case: “Kommerell’s diverticulum is an uncommon cardiovascular abnormality, especially when associated with a right-sided aortic arch, a condition observed in only 0.03% of the global population. Due to its often asymptomatic nature or presentation with symptoms similar to other conditions, these congenital deformities are rarely detected, necessitating a high level of medical expertise and advanced technology during surgical procedures.”

Dr. Yazan Aljabery, a Cardiac Surgeon at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, elaborated on the surgical challenges: “Correcting a Kommerell’s diverticulum when the aorta arches to the left is relatively straightforward because the deformity is accessible. However, when the aorta arches to the right, as in Shabbie’s case, the defect is obscured by other large vessels, making surgery particularly difficult. Using a 3D-printed model in such scenarios enhances the safety of the procedure, enabling a more precise and customized surgical approach.”

The 3D printing process involves several key stages. First, 3D image reconstruction creates a digital framework of the patient’s anatomy from diagnostic imaging data. Next, 3D slicing provides a detailed analysis of individual structures. Finally, the 3D printing phase produces a physical replica of the patient’s anatomy, which the surgeon can use for pre-surgical planning and simulation.

This innovative use of 3D printing technology allows for a deeper understanding of the unique challenges presented by each case, leading to more precise and tailored surgical interventions with the highest accuracy and minimal risk.