Patient-specific simulation for endovascular procedures: qualitative evaluation of the development process.

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. METHODS/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.