TAVR placement gets optimized with use of pumping, 3D-printed hearts by MIT researchers

“There are no treatments for aortic stenosis, a heart valve problem afflicting as many as a fifth of people over 65. The only solution is to modify the affected valve by implanting a prosthetic device that’s suited to the anatomy and the pumping action of a patient’s heart. While most cases are straightforward, some are more complex. 3D printed hearts could help cardiologists gain greater insight into how a patient’s heart is pumping and find a better fit. In a paper published Feb. 22 in Science Robotics, bioengineers led by a team from Massachusetts Institute of Technology described how they used cardiovascular data from individual patients to print soft models of their hearts, complete with the ability to pump just as their hearts did.”     MORE

Image Credit:  FierceBiotech.com