The dynamic cardiac biosimulator: a method for training physicians in beating-heart mitral valve repair procedures

Alberto M. Leopaldi, Krzysztof Wrobel, Giovanni Speziali, Sjoerd van Tuijl, Agne Drasutiene, W. Randolph, Jr. Chitwood (Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective
Previously, cardiac surgeons and cardiologists learned to operate new clinical devices for the first time in the operating room or catheterization laboratory. We describe a biosimulator that recapitulates normal heart valve physiology with associated real-time hemodynamic performance.

Methods
To highlight the advantages of this simulation platform, transventricular extruded polytetrafluoroethylene artificial chordae were attached to repair flail or prolapsing mitral valve leaflets. Guidance for key repair steps was by 2-dimensional/3-dimensional echocardiography and simultaneous intracardiac videoscopy.

Results
Multiple surgeons have assessed the use of this biosimulator during artificial chordae implantations. This simulation platform recapitulates normal and pathologic mitral valve function with associated hemodynamic changes. Clinical situations were replicated in the simulator and echocardiography was used for navigation, followed by videoscopic confirmation.

Conclusions
This beating heart biosimulator reproduces prolapsing mitral leaflet pathology. It may be the ideal platform for surgeon and cardiologist training on many transcatheter and beating heart procedures.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)147-155
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume155
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2018

Keywords

  • simulation
  • biosimulator
  • mitral
  • valve
  • chord
  • replacement
  • Humans
  • Cardiology/education
  • General Surgery/education
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional/methods
  • Mitral Valve Annuloplasty/education
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency/surgery
  • Simulation Training/methods

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