Gruppo Ospedaliero San Donato Foundation ETS

Congenital heart defects affect 8 children out of every 1,000. These children can deteriorate shortly after birth and may require interventions within the first days or months of life. Often, a staged approach is necessary, but to reduce the significant physical and psychological impact on the children, it is increasingly important to minimize the number of interventions.

For procedures of such complexity, 3D planning and printing technology, available at the 3D Lab of IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, can help by producing exact replicas of the patients’ hearts, allowing surgeons to simulate the intervention on the model.

To improve the care of these young patients, many professionals—including engineers, designers, and doctors—have combined their efforts to create a unique synergy at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato. Here, in addition to enhancing the treatment of complex heart conditions, a model bank is being developed to support patients, treatments, and future healthcare professionals.

The proceeds from the Sanremo auction, in particular, will support the GSD Foundation’s project to improve the treatment of complex congenital heart defects in pediatric patients.