Interventional catheterization in children constantly improved these last decades to reach an extremely high success rate. However, the information given to parents before the intervention may be difficult and anxiety remains high.

We questioned about the impact of 3D cardiac printing on understanding, knowledge and anxiety of parents before interventional catheterization of their children.

Parents of children undergoing a percutaneous shunt closure were prospectively included. Two questionnaires were provided before and after the consultation: 1/a 6-item questionnaire of knowledge and understanding about the disease and the cardiac catheterization; 2/a self-report questionnaire to assess the anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)). During the consultation, the ‘model group’ received an explanation of the children heart defect and the catheterization procedure using the 3D printed model of the cardiac lesion (Fig. 1), while the ‘control group’ had the classical explanation with device and a manual drawing.

Sixty three parents of 43 children were randomized in ‘control group’ (n=31) or ‘model group’ (n=32), including 6 ventricular septal defect, 23 patent ductus arteriosus and 34 atrial septal defect. At baseline, groups were comparable. The level of understanding and knowledge improved after the consultation in ‘control group’ and ‘model group’ (+5.5±0.8 and +10,2±0.8; P<0.0001 and P<0.0001 respectively); improvement was higher in ‘model group’ compared to ‘control group’ (P<0.0001). STAI score was also improved after the consultation in both groups (−1.8±0.6 and −5.6±1.0; P<0.0001 and P<0.0001); improvement was higher in the ‘model group’ compared to the ‘control group’ (P=0.0025). Most of parents (30/32) found the models to be very useful and helpful.

3D printed models improve knowledge and information deliverance in consultation for parents of children with CHD, and reduce their level of anxiety before cardiac catheterization.