Cutting edge imaging technology at the cardiac catheterization laboratory
Read how 3D imaging technology helped baby Olive and her family
Traditionally, imaging in the pediatric catheterization laboratory (cath lab) is based on two-view images (angiography) for interventional and diagnostic studies.
The cath lab at Children’s Hospital of Colorado is equipped with the latest systems, allowing complex procedures to be performed with minimal radiation. This is possible thanks to tools like VesselNav that allows guidance during procedures in the cath lab using available CT or MRI images of the patient and overlaying on the cath lab images screen.
There is also the option of performing imaging like 3D rotational angiography (3DRA) that can be post processed and create beautiful 3D reconstructions of the most complex cardiac anatomy, but more importantly, these are diagnostic images where accurate measurements can be obtained and allow guidance with overlay on the cath lab images screen, with the end-goal of decreasing the overall radiation dose.
These 3DRA images have been used in the congenital interventional field for several years, but our center is a pioneer in processing these images and printing 3D cardiac models including airway from 3DRA. The 3D models are useful for surgical and interventional planning, especially in patient with complex cardiac anatomy. The 3DRA images are processed by the interventional cardiologists and printed in hard material in our own 3D printer or in more flexible material by Inworks/UC Denver.
From printing a 3D cardiac model to share it with the patient and their family to printing a 3D cardiac model for planning the patient’s next surgery or intervention… this technology has a lot of potential and already priceless applications in the day to day practice at our hospital.
Jenny E. Zablah
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Pediatric Interventional Cardiologist
Cardiac Climbers Cycling Team for the Courage Classic Tour 