Three dimensional reconstruction of CT scan images to aid the cardiac surgeon

Minimally invasive techniques and approaches have the potential advantages of less operative stress and healthcare resource utilization but at the "cost" of less operative field of view. Newer imaging techniques utilizing three dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography scan images (3DCT) can aid the cardiac surgeon in visualizing the geometric relationships to plan and execute complex surgical procedures via minimally invasive or standard approaches. Multidetector-row CT scanning and post-processing yield these 3DCT images. We describe representative examples of this imaging technology in planning complex surgical procedures. Vascular structures, pulmonary and atrial venous relationships and cardiac ventricular functional anatomy are all visualized. Utilizing advances in imaging should allow surgeons to rapidly adopt newer technologies and minimally invasive techniques.