Figure 5.

Application of 3D models in congenital cardiology and cardiac surgery. Biomedical engineers use the physical model to create experimental set ups and test hydrodynamic conditions in patient specific settings; these setups are used also to validate computation models. Physical models are used for clinical purposes in surgical planning and decision-making of complex procedures, as well as to test new application of devices to patient specific anatomy. Medical students and trainee can benefit from the use of three-dimensional models during cardiac morphology courses as well as cardiac surgeon from practicing complex procedures. Comparing to medical images, physical models are much easier to understand for patients and parents.