Virtual reality simulation: prepared for training and assessment of endovascular skills?

Evolving endovascular therapies have transformed the management of vascular disease and are rapidly gaining acceptance. Current opportunities for future interventionalists; to practice are limited by a number of factors including patient safety, budgetary constraints, reduction in length of residency programs, implementation of the European Working Time Directive and the increasing application of non invasive diagnostic strategies. Virtual reality simulation has been proposed as a means to train and objectively assess technical endovascular performance without risks to patient safety. This article reviews the evidence for this adjunctive tool to enhance current training programmes to ensure that the highest standards of care are sustained for treatment of vascular disease.