An infant phantom for pediatric pericardial access and electrophysiology training

Cardiac procedures in infants and children require a high level of skill and dexterity owing to small stature and anatomy. Lower incidence of procedure volume in this population results in fewer clinical opportunities for learning. Simulators have grown in popularity for education and training, though most existing simulators are often cost-prohibitive or model adult anatomy.

Develop a low-cost simulator for practicing the skills to perform percutaneous pericardial access and cardiac ablation procedures in pediatric patients.

We describe 2 simulators for practicing cardiac procedures in pediatric patients, with a total cost of less than $500. Both simulators are housed within an infant-size doll. The first simulator is composed of an infant-size heart and a skin-like covering to practice percutaneous pericardial access to the heart. Participants obtained sheath access to the heart under direct visualization. The second simulator houses a child-size heart with 7 touch-activated targets to practice manipulating a catheter through a small heart. This can be performed under direct visualization and with 3-dimensional mapping via CARTO. Participants manipulated a catheter to map the heart by touching the 6 positive targets, avoiding the negative target.

Physicians-in-training improved their time to complete the task between the first and second attempts. Physicians experienced with the tools took less time to complete the task than physicians-in-training.

This inexpensive simulator is anatomically realistic and can be used to practice manipulating procedure tools and develop competency for pediatric cardiac procedures.