Robotic PCI confirmed to be both safe and effective in new comprehensive analysis
Robotic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures are safe and highly effective, according to a large new analysis published in JSCAI.[1]
“Robotic PCI enables the remote advancement and manipulation of intracoronary devices by an operator seated behind a shielded interventional cockpit with the goal of addressing both the orthopedic- and radiation-associated risks of PCI,” wrote first author Ehtisham Mahmud, MD, an interventional cardiologist with UC San Diego Health, and colleagues. “Although there have been single-center experiences reported with both the first- and second-generation robotic platforms in the treatment of simple and complex coronary lesions, questions persist regarding the utility of robotic PCI for the treatment of coronary disease encountered in clinical practice.”
Researchers performed a comprehensive analysis of PRECISION and PRECISION GRX, two studies focused on tracking patients who underwent robotic PCI.
PRECISION included 754 procedures performed with the Corindus CorPath 200 system from 2013 to 2017. The clinical success rate was 96.9% and technical success rate was 89.6%. PRECISION GRX, meanwhile, included 980 procedures performed with the Corindus CorPath GRX system from 2017 to 2020. The clinical success rate was 98.1% and technical success rate was 89.2%.
Reviewing data from both studies, the group found that the second-generation CorPath GRX system was linked to higher clinical and technical success rates for several more complex lesion types. This improvement is at least partially explained by an update to the newer system that allowed it to control the guide catheter robotically. Another upgrade found in the second-generation system was a high-resolution imaging screen that was added to the robotic cockpit. Researchers said the improved visualization provided by this screen appears to have helped reduce contrast utilization.
“The PRECISION and PRECISION GRX studies are the first set of studies to systematically address the safety and efficacy of robotic PCI in a broad range of patients, lesions and clinical presentations, with both experienced and novice operators,” the authors wrote. “There were no robotic platform–related complications resulting in an adverse event in any patient in both registries. This is of paramount importance for any new technology and provides reassurance that the interventional operator can be in the interventional cockpit or even in the control room, away from the catheterization table managing the robot. Nevertheless, a tableside team is still required to assist in device exchanges and rapid manual assistance as required.”
Corindus, the company behind both robotic PCI systems being studied, did fund this research.
Click here to read the full analysis in JSCAI, a Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions journal.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.