Beating heart porcine high-fidelity simulator for the training of edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.

Abstract

Transcatheter treatment of structural heart disease is becoming an everyday reality for an increasing number of surgeons, and effective training modalities for basic guide-wire skills, catheter handling, and periprocedural imaging are of growing relevance. In this video tutorial we present a beating-heart porcine model used as a high-fidelity training simulator for transcatheter cardiac valve procedures.  We demonstrate a complete transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair procedure, including periprocedural imaging, clip deployment, and quality control. Various mitral valve pathologies can be simulated, including the demonstrated leaflet prolapse. Trainees practice clip navigation within the left atrium, transmitral passage, and clip orientation as well as grasping mitral valve leaflets to treat mitral regurgitation.  Periprocedural imaging is achieved via epicardial echocardiography and left ventricular cardioscopy, and these imaging modalities are also relied on to guide surgeons during the simulations, as required. The beating heart model enables realistic demonstration of the hemodynamic consequences of valve repair, and we believe that this simulator represents a valuable adjunct to surgical training.