Breakthrough in 3D heart scanning

The University of Manchester scientists have created the most detailed ever 3D scan of a rare form of congenital heart disease. The ‘walk through’ 3D video for the first time allows a precise anatomical classification of the disease and has important implications on future treatment for many of the heart defects humans- and animals - are born with.

The study, now published in the Journal of Veterinary Cardiology, started by chance when a Japanese veterinary researcher at Ritsumeikan University contacted the team at Manchester.

Using cutting edge technology which carries out Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro CT) – one of only 2 places in the UK where it is done- the team were able diagnose a rare but distressing condition called common arterial trunk.

Micro CT can create an intricately detailed scan of the heart at a resolution of 40 microns - a quarter the width of a human hair.

Treated with heart surgery, it is found in humans and domestic animals such as cats and dogs.

Less than 1 in 10,000 babies are born with common arterial trunk– which causes acute breathlessness over the first month or so after birth; around 95 out of every 100 babies who have surgical repair will survive.

The article was prepared based on the information: Manchester