Year of Science in Belarus: First surgeries with the use of 3D printed heart copies

Belarusian surgeons have conducted their first operations using a unique technology – 3D heart copies of the hearts of the patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This technology implemented during the Year of Science holds great prospects.

Specialists of the National Cardiology Research Center in Minsk applied the innovation in late January and February 2017 when they created a 3D printed high-accuracy cardiac model. A 3D model was developed for each patient to see the individual anatomic features and details of the pathological condition. Belarusian surgeons conducted a test surgery to work out a detailed plan for a surgical procedure on a patient’s heart.

According to heart surgeon of the National Cardiology Research Center Vitaly Odintsov, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a relatively rare disease for Belarus. There are some 400 to 500 patients diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the country today. The new technology will be actively used to treat other serious pathologies. One of the most promising areas for its use is the treatment of congenial heart diseases in children.

Enjoy a photo story about the National Cardiology Research Center, a 3D printed heart and the authors of the innovative technology with exclusive photos from an operating theater.

Photos by Oksana Manchuk