3D-printed aortic stenosis model with fragile and crushable calcifications for off-the-job training and surgical simulation

Abstract

Surgical simulation devices can be helpful and cost-effective adjuncts to on-the-job training. In this tutorial we present our method for creating an aortic stenosis model with realistically fragile and crushable calcifications, using modern 3D-printing techniques. The model can be used for training and surgical simulation and is an effective aid to learning for young cardiovascular surgeons.