Three-dimensional teaching model for coronary angiography.

In order to improve the understanding and interpretation of cine coronary arteriograms obtained in various angled projections, a three-dimensional wire model was constructed. The main coronary arteries and most important muscular branches are simulated by a wire skeleton. The model can be rotated to simulate the standard right and left anterior oblique and left lateral projections. The degree of rotation is indicated on the base of the model. By tilting the model, cephalad and caudad tube angulation can be simulated. By placing the model in front of the cine projector, the shadows of the wires can be superimposed upon the projected cine coronary arteriogram. This simple, inexpensive model has greatly improved the three-dimensional understanding of the coronary arterial tree in various angled and nonangled views and in our practice had led to the development of additional useful projections.