3D modeling advances cardiovascular surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital

Editor's Note

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), a technique historically used in engineering, is transforming pediatric cardiac surgery at Boston Children's Hospital, Healthcare IT News reported January 2. This approach aims to enhance surgical precision and reduce the need for repeat operations in children with congenital heart defects.

Traditionally, pediatric heart surgeons rely on their judgment in the operating room to design and fit patches that correct blood flow pathways. However, the outcomes can vary, sometimes creating extra workload for the heart. Quoting Dr. David Hoganson, director of the Computational 3D Visualization Program at Boston Children’s, the article outlines how CFD removes much of this guesswork by enabling surgeons to simulate and optimize flow dynamics preoperatively.

According to the article, the program uses advanced software adapted from the US Department of Defense to model blood flow and simulate potential surgical outcomes. Hoganson’s team, consisting of 12 engineers and growing, performs dozens of simulations for complex cases to identify the best surgical approach. For example, one patient’s surgery was refined after 80 simulations, avoiding what would have been a failed operation based on initial estimates.

The program’s streamlined workflows have significantly reduced turnaround times for time-sensitive cases that require rapid modeling, Healthcare IT News reports. Previously requiring two months, CFD modeling now takes as little as three weeks, with ongoing efforts to shorten this further.  

Another benefit is that the 3D models and flow simulations help families understand surgical options. Unlike traditional hand-drawn explanations, these models allow parents and even teenage patients to actively engage in decision-making, the article notes, fostering trust and providing assurance that all options have been explored.

According to the article, CFD is being applied not just for heart surgery, but also in respiratory medicine, medical device development, and even air quality systems. However, applications can be limited in the most complex cases. The full article offers additional context on how Boston Children’s is working to address these and other hurdles, such as lack of approved billing codes.