Evaluation of the CorPath-GRX technIQ automated movements during robotic-PCI (NAVIGATE GRX study)

The second-generation Corepath GRX system utilized smart automation technology, known as TechnIQ automation, to produce predictable and consistent movements typically executed by operators during manual PCI.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TechnIQ automated movements in clinical practice.

Patients with CAD and indication for PCI were randomized to underwent to Robotic-PCI with either TechnIQ automated movements ON or OFF. Safety endpoint was defined as a composite of MACE (Cardiac Death, Target Vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), and Target Vessel Revascularization (TVR)) and Major Angiographic Complications (perforation or flow-limiting dissection). Efficacy endpoint was defined as need for manual conversion and final angiographic TIMI flow 3. Total procedural time, total contrast administration, total fluoroscopy time and total DAP exposure were also evaluated.

A total of 49 patients (mean age 68.2 ± 7.5 years; 30.6 % female) underwent to PCI on 55 vessels (27 with TechnIQ ON, 28 with TechnIQ OFF). No cases of Cardiac Death, TV-MI and TVR were observed. Only one case of flow limiting dissection occurred in the TechnIQ OFF group during manual cannulation, and one case of non-fatal stroke occurred in the TechnIQ ON group. Finally, the unplanned manual conversion occurred for 6 patients in the TechnIQ ON group (22 %) and 5 patients in the TechnIQ OFF group (18 %).

This study demonstrates the safety of using smart automation algorithm (TechnIQ automation) during R-PCI, without an increased need for unplanned manual conversion.