A Free-Access Online Interactive Simulator to Enhance Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography Training Using a High-Fidelity Human Heart 3D Model

Abstract

The clinical uses of perioperative transesophageal echocardiography have grown exponentially in recent years for both cardiac and noncardiac surgical patients. Yet, echocardiography is a complex skill that also requires an advanced understanding of human cardiac anatomy. Although simulation has changed the way echocardiography is taught, most available systems are still limited by investment costs, accessibility, and qualities of the input cardiac 3-dimensional models. In this report, the authors discuss the development of an online simulator using a high-resolution human heart scan that accurately represents real cardiac anatomies, and that should be accessible to a wide range of learners without space or time limitations.

Keywords: computer simulation; education; simulation training; transesophageal echocardiography.