Robotic PCI – Has It Come of Age?

Abstract

Last issue of the Journal contained an article on the benefits of robotic telesurgery. Now we would like to examine another aspect of robotics in medicine – Robotic enhanced percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The first-in-humans pilot clinical trial involving 18 patients was published in 2006. In this study angioplasty guidewire, balloon and stents were navigated by a computerized system. The guidewire could cross the lesion successfully in 17 cases and 15 of these cases could be successfully completed by remote navigation. The remaining 3 cases were completed manually. The proposed advantages of the system was a significantly lower radiation exposure to the operator and possibly more precise positioning of the coronary stent. There was no increase in fluoroscopy time.