Manuel, O.S., Cláudio, G., Bárbara, L., Vera, M.A., João, B.R., Jorge, G., Oliveira, S.E., Marco, C., Lino, G., Richard, B., Dariusz, D., Gustavo, P.M., Silva, M.J., & A, K.A. (2026). Simulation training for invasive cardiovascular procedures: the Heart-SIMS-1 randomized trial.. BMC medical education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-08831-6
Manuel OS, Cláudio G, Bárbara L, Vera MA, João BR, Jorge G, et al. Simulation training for invasive cardiovascular procedures: the Heart-SIMS-1 randomized trial.. BMC medical education. 2026; doi: 10.1186/s12909-026-08831-6
Manuel OS, Cláudio G, Bárbara L, et al. Simulation training for invasive cardiovascular procedures: the Heart-SIMS-1 randomized trial.[J]. BMC medical education. 2026. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-026-08831-6.
@article{manuel2026,
author = {Oliveira-Santos Manuel and Guerreiro Cláudio and Lobo Bárbara and Marinho Ana Vera and Borges-Rosa João and Guardado Jorge and Santos Eduardo Oliveira and Costa Marco and Gonçalves Lino and Bogle Richard and Dudek Dariusz and Pires-Morais Gustavo and Marques João Silva and Khokhar Arif A},
title = {Simulation training for invasive cardiovascular procedures: the Heart-SIMS-1 randomized trial.},
journal = {BMC medical education},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1186/s12909-026-08831-6},
note = {PMID: 41826935},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Oliveira-Santos Manuel AU - Guerreiro Cláudio AU - Lobo Bárbara AU - Marinho Ana Vera AU - Borges-Rosa João AU - Guardado Jorge AU - Santos Eduardo Oliveira AU - Costa Marco AU - Gonçalves Lino AU - Bogle Richard AU - Dudek Dariusz AU - Pires-Morais Gustavo AU - Marques João Silva AU - Khokhar Arif A TI - Simulation training for invasive cardiovascular procedures: the Heart-SIMS-1 randomized trial. T2 - BMC medical education PY - 2026 DO - 10.1186/s12909-026-08831-6 AN - PMID:41826935 ER -
BACKGROUNDS: Interventional cardiology training has a long learning curve, with potential procedural risks to patients and clinicians. We aimed to assess whether mentored simulation-based training with 3D-printed models can improve the skills of beginners in coronary diagnostic procedures in a pilot randomized trial. METHODS: Twenty-nine final-year medical students recruited from a single University were lectured on the fundamentals of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for one-hour, and then randomized to conventional or simulation training. Conventional training (n = 15) consisted of watching a 20-minute video demonstrating ICA steps performed in a 3D-printed coronary simulator. The simulation training group (n = 14) were offered, in pairs, the same content in a 20-minute hands-on session using a 3D-printed simulator. The co-primary endpoint was efficacy and safety of performing a simulated ICA in the angiography suite. Efficacy and safety were graded using a 13-point procedural checklist (0-100%) and the identification of five procedural “red flags” items, respectively. The secondary endpoint was theoretical knowledge (multiple-choice test). RESULTS: All participants completed the protocol. In both components of the co-primary endpoint, the simulation group scored higher: efficacy score of 91.5 ± 3.8% vs. 64.6 ± 8.3% (mean difference 95% CI [20.8, 30.8]) and safety score 100.0% (100.0-100.0%) vs. 62.5 (20.8–79.2%) (median difference 95% CI [20.8, 79.2]), p < 0.001. The median number of “red flags” were 2 (1–4) in conventional and 0 (0–0) in simulation training (p < 0.001). Also, simulation group obtained a higher score in the theoretical knowledge test: 85.7 ± 9.0% vs. 76.8 ± 12.7%, p = 0.039. CONCLUSION: Mentored simulation-based training using 3D-printed simulators significantly improved theoretical knowledge and basic procedural skills of ICA. These results suggest that simulation-based training should be pursued for improving patient safety and technical proficiency. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06224101.