Tortuous aortic arch is always challenging for beginner neuro-interventionalists. Herein, we share our experience of using 3D-printed extracranial vascular simulators (VSs) and the infrared imaging platform (IRIP) in two training courses for diagnostic cerebral angiography in the past 4 years. A total of four full-scale patient-specific carotid-aortic-iliac models were fabricated, including one type I arch, one bovine variant, and two type III arches. With an angiography machine (AM) as the imaging platform for the practice and final test, the first course was held in March 2018 had 10 participants, including three first-year residents (R1), three second-year residents (R2), and four third-year residents (R3). With introduction of the IRIP as the imaging platform for practice, the second course in March 2022 had nine participants, including 3 R1s, 3 R2s, and 3 R3s. The total manipulation time (TMT) to complete type III aortic arch navigation was recorded. In the first course, the average TMT of the first trial was 13.1 min. Among 3 R1s and 3 R2s attending the second trial, the average TMT of the second trial was 3.4 min less than that of the first trial. In the second course using IRIP, the average TMT of the first and second trials was 6.7 min and 4.8 min, respectively. The TMT of the second trial (range 2.2~14.4 min; median 5.9 min) was significantly shorter than that of the first trial (range 3.6~18 min; median 8.7 min), regardless of whether AM or IRIP was used (p = 0.001). Compared with first trial, the TMT of the second trial was reduced by an average of 3.7 min for 6 R1s, which was significantly greater than the 1.7 min of R2 and R3 (p = 0.049). Patient-specific VSs with radiation-free IRIP could be a useful training platform for junior residents with little experience in neuroangiography.
Keywords: 3D printing; cerebral angiography; infrared imaging; neuro-interventionalist; simulator.