Naples, FL – June 17, 2025 – Doctors at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute have created a groundbreaking, new heart procedure through the integration of 3D printing and virtual twin modeling to save the life of a critically ill patient.
This past Spring, Cheryl W. arrived at NCH with severe chest pain. The Multi-Disciplinary Heart Team at Rooney Heart Institute quickly identified she was suffering complications of a massive heart attack resulting in severe heart failure and rupture of part of her heart muscle. Advanced 3D and 4D imaging quickly revealed the large heart attack had created 2 holes in her heart, called a ventricular septal rupture. Combined, these catastrophic complications have an estimated mortality rate of over 95%.
Using advanced multi-modality imaging, NCH Rooney Heart Institute physicians guided the team at the NCH Judith and Marvin Herb Family Simulation Center in creating a 3D print of Cheryl’s heart.
“The 3D print enables the multi-disciplinary heart team to fully understand the patient’s unique anatomy, anticipate surgical challenges, and develop a patient-centric tailored treatment strategy,” said Dee Dee Wang, MD, Section Head, Cardiac Imaging and Medical Director, Cardiac 3D Printing at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute.
”Since her heart tissue was so weak and fragile from the massive heart attack, our multi-disciplinary heart team felt this new technique could help save her life,” said Robert Cubeddu, MD, President of NCH Rooney Heart Institute and leader of the Multi-Disciplinary Heart Team. “She could not tolerate traditional open-heart surgery, and she was deteriorating rapidly.”
The new hybrid surgical and transcatheter approach, enabled the medical teams to access the heart to reveal the hole, and thread a wire into the heart through the surgical incision to deploy a closure device to create an artificial wall in the patient’s heart.
As a result of these remarkable efforts, Cheryl is making an incredible recovery and has returned home with her family.
“The success of this new procedure may open new routes for life-saving care for patients who have no other options,” said Robert Cubeddu, MD, President of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “I’m proud of the team’s work and outcomes in delivering and providing world-class care.” “This extraordinary case illustrates why NCH has been recognized among the top hospitals in the country for cardiology care,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH. “It’s not just about rankings, it’s about real outcomes, real lives saved, and the innovation and teamwork that happens here every day. I could not be more proud of the team at the Rooney Heart Institute.”
The NCH Rooney Heart Institute continues to lead the way in cardiovascular innovation, combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate, collaborative care to provide life-saving outcomes for even the most complex cases.
“I feel like a miracle patient and believe I’m here today because of this incredible team,” said Cheryl W., NCH Rooney Heart Institute patient – who is now recovering well. “I’ll never forget the compassion and the expertise – they truly came together to save my life.”
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