Stenting complex aortic coarctation: simulation in a 3D printed model

A 23-year-old lady with aortic coarctation was referred for percutaneous treatment. Cardiac CT demonstrated severe coarctation distal to the origin of the left carotid artery (LCA) with hypoplasia of the left subclavian artery (Panel A). The planned procedure was to implant a covered stent to reduce the risk of aortic dissection or rupture. However, using a covered stent, the risk of occluding the origin of the LCA had to be considered. An innovative approach was planned and tested in a 3D model printed in HeartPrint® Flex material (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) (Panel B). A single covered CP Stent™ 39 mm (...