Experienced endovascular interventionalists objectively improve their skills by attending carotid artery stent training courses.
OBJECTIVE
Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an advanced endovascular intervention with a steep learning curve. Virtual reality (VR) simulation has been proposed as a means to train and objectively assess technical performance.


OBJECTIVE
To objectively assess psychomotor skills acquisition of experienced interventionalists attending a two-day CAS course, using a VR simulator.


METHODS
Both cognitive and technical skills of 11 interventionalists were trained in a two-day course using didactic sessions, case reviews, supervised VR simulation and live-cases. Pre- and post-course skills were assessed through performance on the same CAS procedure using metrics derived from the simulator.


RESULTS
Significant differences were noted between pre- and post-course performance for procedure (36 vs. 20min., p=0.005), X-ray (20 vs. 11min., p=0.016) and delivery-retrieval time of the embolic protection device (12 vs. 9min., p=0.007). Advancement of the guiding catheter without a leading wire occurred to a greater extent pre- versus post-course (199 vs. 152mm., p=0.050) as did spasm of the internal carotid artery (4 vs. 2, p=0.049).


CONCLUSIONS
This study has objectively proven a benefit for experienced interventionalists to attend CAS courses for skills acquisition measured by a VR simulator. These data can be used to offer participants an insight into their skills and objectively audit course efficacy.
Van Herzeele
I
I
Department of Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Imperial College London, UK; Regional Vascular Unit, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK. vhisabelle@gmail.com
Aggarwal
R
R
Neequaye
S
S
Hamady
M
M
Cleveland
T
T
Darzi
A
A
Cheshire
N
N
Gaines
P
P
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000193:education*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D015607:Stents; D014584:User-Computer Interface