Description
Clinical History
A thin 42-year-old American tourist was found dead in his hotel bedroom. A coroner's autopsy was performed.
Pathology
This is a longitudinal section through the heart displaying the left and right ventricles and interventricular septum. The outstanding abnormality is a grossly thickened interventricular septum and left ventricular hypertrophy. The aortic cusps that are visible appear unremarkable, as does the mitral valve. The ventricular septum is so large that it encroaches on the lumen of the left ventricle.
Diagnosis
Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, also known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Further Information
Subaortic stenosis is considered to be acquired rather than congenital and is suggested to result from an underlying defect in the architecture of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). The defect may be such that the resulting turbulent blood flow leads to progressive thickening and fibrosis of the LVOT and the aortic valve. Progression of the disease will often lead to a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy secondary to the increased aortic pressure needed to be overcome by the left ventricle. Mild or moderate stenosis is often asymptomatic. As disease progresses and the stenosis becomes severe, symptoms such as exertional dyspnoea and syncope may become apparent. Investigation and subsequent diagnosis are often prompted by the presence of an ejection systolic murmur on physical examination. Echocardiography is used to confirm diagnosis.
These days, definitive treatment of subaortic stenosis consists of surgical correction of the obstruction.
Advantages
- Anatomically accurate and identical to real specimen
- No ethical issues - not real human body parts
- Reasonably priced
- Available within a short lead time
- Reproducible, several identical prints can be used as a classroom set
- Can be produced in different sizes to cater for the needs of the teacher
Human Cadavers
- Access to cadavers can be problematic. Many countries cannot access cadavers for cultural and religious reasons
- Cadavers cost a lot money
- High cost for establishing your own plastination suite
- Wet specimens cannot be used in uncertified labs
- Dissection of cadavers is a lot of staff time and that is a cost
- Storage of cadaver material needs special refrigeration etc. which has coast
- If you want another specimen you have to start all over again
Plastinates
- Costs
- Ethical issues
- Timeframe for plastination process
- Many countries do not allow their importation
- One of a kind
Superior 3D print results compared with conventional methods
- Vibrant color offering with 10 million colors
- UV-curable inkjet printing
- High quality 3D printing that can create products that are delicate, extremely precise and incredibly realistic
Clear Support Material
- To avoid breakage of fragile, thin, and delicate arteries, veins or vessels, a clear support material is printed on such spots. This makes the models robust and can be handled by students easily.
