Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mentored simulation training (ST) in coronary angiography and to assess the transferability of acquired skills from virtual reality to the real world. Twenty cardiology residents were randomized to ST or control before performing real-life cases in the catheterization laboratory. The control group underwent secondary ST and reperformed real-life cases in the catheterization laboratory. Skill metrics were compared between the ST and the control group, and within the control group between before and after ST. In real-life cases, the procedure time was shorter (p = 0.002), the radiation dose lower (p = 0.001), and the global procedure skill score was higher (p = 0.0001) in the ST group as compared with the control (before ST) group. During virtual ST procedural time (p <0.001), fluoroscopic time (p <0.001), training contrast amount (p <0.001), and global training score (p <0.001) significantly decreased. In the control group, all monitoring procedure parameters were significantly improved after ST, as well as, the global procedure flow score (p <0.0001).

In conclusion, simulator-based training in coronary angiography improved operator skills compared with traditional in catheterization laboratory mentor-based training. ST should be incorporated in the curriculum of the interventionalist to improve learning in coronary angiography.