A 13-month-old girl has undergone life-saving open heart surgery after doctors used a pioneering 3D-printed model of her heart to prepare her parents for the procedure. Penny, who has Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition affecting about five in every 10,000 babies, needed the operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
How the 3D model helped
Doctors used a 3D model of Penny's heart to help her parents, Brad and Lizzie, understand exactly what surgeons needed to do. The replicas were made at Aston University in Birmingham, with one model at the actual size of her heart used to show the couple what surgeons were dealing with, while a larger, more detailed model was produced for the medical team.
Brad, from Broome, Worcestershire, said the process was gruelling and that before the replica was made he became particularly anxious. He recalled: "That's the day, and I'd say this out loud, for me when the world will stop and it will only restart again when she's back through and I can see her face."
Recovery and ongoing care
The models helped reassure Brad and Lizzie, though the operation still carried risks. Brad said: "When she went for surgery, our whole world stopped. I don’t think we realised how difficult it would be, but she is doing so well. We’re over the moon."
Now Penny is thriving, and in the coming weeks she will have further checks using a heart monitor, and eventually be checked annually for the rest of her life. Brad added: "Penny is recovering really well at home and back to her bubbly self. Everyone who has looked after Penny has been amazing, we can’t thank them enough."
Collaboration behind the project
Biomedical engineers at Aston University do scans to create the detailed models, allowing clinical teams to closely examine the anatomy of a patient's heart. This means conditions like Penny's can be examined more clearly than relying on a black and white ultrasound or CT image on a computer screen.
Antonio Fratini, who leads the Engineering for Health Research Centre at Aston University, said: "This is a unique project that brings together engineers and clinicians to make a huge impact on people’s lives. Seeing the difference we can make to children, young people and their families is hugely rewarding for everyone involved."
Dr Tristan Ramcharan added: "Our collaboration with Aston University is hugely exciting. By using 3D printing, we’re exploring innovative ways to support the care of babies and children with complex heart conditions. I’m proud to be part of that work and incredibly thankful to our charity for funding this project. We’re delighted that Penny is recovering so well following her surgery. The toddler and her family have shown incredible bravery throughout and it’s wonderful to see them able to look forward to the future."
