Ultrasound-compatible 3D model of the equine heart

In contrast to human medicine, standard imaging techniques for cardiac interventions, namely fluoroscopy, CT and MRI, cannot be used in horses because the size of their thorax is too large for the gantry (CT and MRI) or results in insufficient detail (fluoroscopy). Therefore, echocardiography is essential as an imaging technique for diagnosis of cardiac disease and guidance of intracardiac catheterisations in equine cardiology. A 3D model of the equine heart compatible with ultrasound imaging has been developed based on a 3D computer model acquired from CT imaging of the heart of a pony. Placed in a watertank with silicone windows, equine echocardiography can be simulated and catheters can be introduced and manipulated to simulate intracardiac interventions. The model is therefore useful in the professional education of echocardiography (in the context of specialist training) and development of intracardiac interventions guided by echocardiography. This way, the number of horses used in education can be reduced, catheter manipulations can be trained in the context of specialist training and novel intracardiac therapies with appropriate devices and imaging guidance can be developed in vitro before applying them in live horses.