To evaluate the value of three-dimensional (3D) printed heart model based on ultrasound and CT image fusion data in simulating the teaching of left atrial appendage closure procedure.

From May 2023 to October 2023, 60 physicians from the Department of Cardiology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Military Medical University were selected and randomly divided into either an experimental group or a control group, with 30 physicians in each group. The control group adopted Traditional methods of theoretical teaching were adopted in the control group, while the experimental group adopted a teaching method of combining theoretical teaching with simulation of surgery using 3D printed heart model based on ultrasound and CT image fusion data. After training, all physicians underwent a theoretical test, a practice test, and a teaching questionnaire survey, and the scores in each group were compared.

The mean theoretical test score in the experimental group (93.37±2.17 points) was significantly higher than that of the control group (90.13±2.13 points; P < 0.001). The mean practice test score in the experimental group (90.03±1.85 points) was also significantly higher than that of the control group (84.73±3.76 points; P < 0.001). The score of the teaching questionnaire survey in the experimental group (24.73±0.64 points) was also significantly higher than that of the control group (20.60±1.75 points; P < 0.001).

Compared with traditional teaching methods, the teaching method of using 3D printed heart model to simulate left atrial appendage closure in vitro can stimulate the learning interest of clinical physicians, help them quickly grasp the key points of the procedure, improve their ability to analyze problems, and accumulate surgical practice experience.