Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi, leveraged cutting-edge three-dimensional printing technology to print a 3D model of the heart and plan a complex surgical intervention on a 41-year-old patient, Mian Mohamed Shabbie, with rare cardiovascular anomaly.
The technology developed by NYU Abu Dhabi’s Core Technology Platform can be used in various fields such as cardiovascular and neurological cases. The process involves three stages: 3D image reconstruction, a procedure that involves creating a three-dimensional model from raw diagnostic imaging data to provide a foundational digital framework of the patient’s anatomy; 3D slicing, which allows for a more detailed analysis of the individual structures and organs in greater detail and; 3D printing, which involves building a physical replica of the patient’s anatomy that the surgeon can hold, examine, and use for pre-surgical planning and simulation.
This technology is instrumental in understanding the unique challenges of each case and allows for a more precise and tailored surgical approach with the highest accuracy and minimum risks.
When Shabbie was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in critical condition, he presented with complications stemming from a birth defect of the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. In Shabbie’s case, his aorta — which normally has a left-sided arch after exiting the heart — had a right-sided arch with a giant aneurysm. The aneurysm itself was of a rare kind, known as Kommerell’s diverticulum, which has one of the main branches of the aorta, with a bulge at the site of its origin.
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 percent 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.”
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 has been designated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi as a Centre of Excellence for Adult Cardiac Surgery, recognizing its comprehensive range of integrated cardiac surgery and structural heart disease interventions provided by a team of some of the world’s most reputable cardiovascular experts.
