title: Patient-specific simulation for endovascular procedures: qualitative evaluation of the development process.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent advancements in simulation permit patient-specific rehearsal of carotid artery stenting procedures. This study evaluates the feasibility of transferring patient-specific CT data into the simulator, creating a 3D reconstruction and performing a rehearsal. The face validity of the model was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By thematic analysis of qualitative data, an algorithm was generated, focusing on simulation set-up, time of data transfer, software/compatibility issues and problem-solving strategies. The face validity of the simulated case was evaluated by 15 expert interventionalists: realism (median 4/5), training potential (median 4/5) and pre-procedure rehearsal potential for challenging CAS cases (median 4/5) were rated highly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Setting up a procedure rehearsal is feasible and reproducible for different patients in different hospital settings without major software compatibility issues. The time to create a 3D reconstruction of patient-specific CT data is a major factor in the total time necessary to set up a rehearsal. The face validity is highly rated by experts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK. w.willaert@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: W I M
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Willaert
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Nestel
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gaines
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Vermassen
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Darzi
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Cheshire
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010829:Physiological Phenomena; D012984:Software