Transatlantic Telerobotic Coronary Angiography: A Pre-clinical Feasibility Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Robotics
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Access to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is limited in underserved regions.
• Telerobotic procedures offer a potential solution to bridge geographical disparities in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of performing telerobotic ICA between continents.
• To assess the technical success and efficiency of remote robotic catheter navigation.

Main Methods:

• A novel robotic system was used to navigate a guidewire and catheter in a fluid-filled cardiac model.
• Procedures were conducted with the physician either onsite (Zürich, Switzerland) or transatlantic (Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA).
• Technical success and engagement time were compared to manual catheterization control group.

Main Results:

• High technical success rates were achieved: 97.5% onsite and 100% transatlantic.
• Transatlantic telerobotic engagement times were faster than onsite robotic procedures (26.7s vs 33.2s).
• Manual catheterization was significantly faster than both robotic approaches (17.1s).

Conclusions:

• Telerobotic ICA is technically feasible across continents, demonstrating a proof-of-concept.
• Transatlantic telerobotic navigation of endovascular devices is now achievable.
• This technology holds promise for expanding access to advanced cardiac interventions globally.