University Hospital Galway (UHG) recently carried out the first robotic-guided coronary intervention in Ireland and the UK, with the procedure combining the benefits of coronary intervention with the precision of robotics, to offer patients a range of benefits.
The new technology (used in stent procedures to relieve blockages in the arteries of the heart) allows for greater precision in positioning stents, allowing the interventional cardiologists to move the stent a millimetre at a time.
It also allows the medical team to have an enhanced, close-up view of the angiographic images and information during the entire procedure. The technology allows cardiologists to use the robot as an extension of their own hands, allowing for robotic precision and details visualisation when positioning of guide catheters, guidewires and balloon/stent catheters.
Prof Faisal Sharif, Consultant Cardiologist, who carried out the first procedure in UHG welcomed the addition of the CorPath Robotic Angioplasy as “a game changer.” He added that robotic innovation has come a long way in the last decade.
“The main advantage of robotics is that it’s very precise and accurate in stent placement. The second main advantage is a reduction in radiation exposure for staff.
“Traditionally, the coronary stent placement procedure is performed in the Cardiac Cath Lab resulting in staff exposure to radiation. Having successfully completed the first case, the medical team will perform these procedures regularly,” noted Prof Sharif. He thanked Science Foundation Ireland, University of Galway and University Hospital Galway for their support towards this innovation.
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