Simulation-based Educational Curriculum and Case Descriptions

The curriculum used to train subjects for this study consists of the following educational elements:

  1. Radiation safety
  2. Conscious sedation
  3. Informed consent and ethics
  4. Pre-procedural risk assessment
  5. Procedural safety
  6. Post-procedural management of complications
Each of the six modules is comprised of:

  1. A pre-test questionnaire
  2. An interactive didactic curriculum
  3. A simulated case
  4. A post-test questionnaire
Case 1: Right heart catheterization in a patient with congestive heart failure related to new onset cardiomyopathy. The case is complicated by complete heart block requiring appropriate therapy.

Case 2: Right heart catheterization in a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension.

Case 3: Coronary angiograpy in a patient referred for assessment of chest pain. The patient experiences coronary vasospasm during the diagnostic procedure.

Case 4: Coronary angiography in a patient with significant coronary artery disease and underlying severe aortic valve stenosis. The case involves selection of appropriate catheters for performance of coronary angiography with a dilated aorta.

Case 5: Coronary angiograpy in a patient with severe coronary artery disease. The case focuses on management of adverse events including contrast reactions and management issues relating to conscious sedation.

Case 6: Coronary angiography in a patient with severe coronary artery disease following previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The case highlights cannulation of bypass grafts as well as management of patients with congestive heart failure.