Key result
Practicing structural interventions on patient-specific 3D printed models successfully mirrors actual clinical outcomes.
Why the study?
While 3D printing technology had been used on the benchtop for structural interventions, whether practicing on patient-specific models under fluoroscopy would be feasible and provide more realistic simulation was hypothesized.
Does practicing cardiac interventions on patient-specific 3D printed models under fluoroscopy provide realistic simulations that parallel actual case outcomes?
Observational (n=3)
Does practicing cardiac interventions on patient-specific 3D printed models under fluoroscopy provide realistic simulations that parallel actual case outcomes?
Practicing structural cardiac interventions on patient-specific 3D printed models under fluoroscopy is feasible and accurately simulates actual clinical cases.
Supports feasibility of 3D-printed model simulation; leaves open impact on outcomes or training in larger cohorts.
Background 3D printing technology has been used to practice cardiac structural interventions in a benchtop setting. We hypothesized that practice on such models under fluoroscopy using standard access and deployment techniques would be feasible and create more realistic simulations. Methods Computed Tomography Angiography data was segmented with commercial software and models exported for 3D printing. The resulting models were fixed to a catheterization table and the planned procedures attempted under fluoroscopy. Operator success and failures were noted and compared with actual case outcomes. Results Three cases investigating left atrial appendage ligation and paravalvular leak closure were successfully simulated, with associated outcomes in the actual cases paralleling the simulated experiences. Conclusion Patient-specific 3D printed cardiac models are easily visualized under fluoroscopy, with an anatomic fidelity sufficient to permit simulation and practice of structural interventions. Further work is needed to prove the value of this technology for improving patient outcomes and optimizing the training of future operators.
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Bauch et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Cardiac structural interventions (left atrial appendage ligation and paravalvular leak closure) (n=3). Practice on patient-specific 3D printed cardiac models under fluoroscopy vs. Actual case outcomes was evaluated on Operator success and failures. Practicing structural interventions on patient-specific 3D printed models under fluoroscopy successfully simulated 3 cases, with outcomes paralleling the actual clinical procedures.
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