Investigation of the Clinical Value of Three-Dimensional Printed Personalised Vascular Models for the Education and Training of Clinicians When Performing Interventional Endovascular Procedures

This study aimed to assess the clinical value of three-dimensional printed personalised vascular models (3DPPVM) in the arena of endovascular interventions. Four models which were 3D printed based CT images, including abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA), carotid artery stenosis, coronary artery stenosis and renal artery stenosis were presented to clinicians for assessment of their clinical and educational value. Twenty-one clinicians from interventional radiology and vascular surgery specialties were invited to participate in the study. The clinicians comprised radiologists (n=6) and vascular surgeons (n=15); 38.1% had more than 8 years of experience; 38.1% between 3 and 8 years of experience and 23.8% had less than 3 years of experience. Of these participants, 66.7 % had not used a 3DPPVM prior to their participation. Over all the areas of experience and all four models, 75% of participants ranked the 3DPPVM models 7 out of 10 and above. The mean scores of the models across all the groups of participants were ranked from 3.2 to 4.3 out of 5. The AAA model was ranked the highest for realism and a low SD 0.89 indicating consistency amongst those participants. The carotid artery model was ranked the highest for accurately displaying anatomical structures at 4.3. All the 3DPPVM enhanced understanding of the disease demonstrated, with rankings between 3.8 and 3.95. All the models elucidated the intervention procedure required and the planning of vascular interventions, within rankings of 3.5 and 3.9. The AAA model was ranked well at 4.8 for enhancing pre-intervention simulation and interventional device selection. The highest rankings were observed in the qualified clinicians of 8 or more years of experience. The 3D printed vascular model’s potential was shown to be in education and training for clinicians and patients; and were correspondingly ranked as least limited in education and training.