LAS VEGAS/PRNewswire/ — A robotic system can
safely assist interventional cardiologists in performing percutaneous coronary
interventions (PCI) while significantly reducing the physician’s exposure to
radiation and improving precision and control, according to results of the
PRECISE study (CorPath Percutaneous Robotically-Enhance Coronary Intervention
Study), presented today as a late-breaking clinical trial at the SCAI 2012
Scientific Sessions.
During traditional PCI procedures, interventional
cardiologists are often exposed to significant levels of radiation, as well as
physical stresses that place them at risk for orthopedic problems. Robotically
enhanced PCI not only has the ability to protect the physician’s health, but
can also enhance technical precision, allowing stents to be placed even more
precisely.
Using the CorPath® 200 robotic system, interventional
cardiologists perform PCI from a radiation-protected cockpit in a seated
position, without the need for the heavy lead apron. The robotic-assisted
system provides a precise computer-controlled motion of guidewire and stent to
enable the physician to place stents by using a joystick. Additionally, the
cockpit provides a better ergonomic position and view of the angiography
screens compared to the traditional procedures. This in turn aids the physician
in even more accurate measurements.
“Robotically enhanced PCI has the potential to benefit
both patients and interventional cardiologists,” said Giora Weisz, MD,
director of Clinical Cardiovascular Research at the Center for Interventional
Vascular Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical
Center and the principal investigator of the trial. “This system is
designed to place stents with millimeter-level control, while also protecting
the physician from radiation exposure.”
In the study, 164 patients at nine sites were treated with
robotically enhanced PCI using the CorPath 200. PCI was successfully completed
without having to convert to manual PCI in 98.8 percent of patients, without
device-related complications. The overall procedure success rate was 97.6
percent. Physician exposure to radiation was reduced by 95.2 percent.
“The PRECISE trial demonstrates robotically assisted
PCI is safe and feasible for most patients,” said Dr. Weisz. “At the
same time, robotic treatment can make the procedure safer for the
interventional cardiologist as well, by reducing the risk of radiation. In the
study, physicians were exposed to significantly lower levels of
radiation.”
The PRECISE study was sponsored by Corindus Vascular
Robotics, Natick, Mass.
Dr. Weisz will present “Final Results and Follow-Up of
Robotically-Enhanced Coronary Intervention (The PRECISE Multi-center Pivotal
Study)” on Thursday, May 10, 2012 during the Late-Breaking Clinical Trials
session beginning at 12:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
About SCAI
Headquartered in Washington,
D.C., the Society for
Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions is a 4,000-member professional
organization representing invasive and interventional cardiologists in
approximately 70 nations. SCAI’s mission is to promote excellence in invasive
and interventional cardiovascular medicine through physician education and
representation, and advancement of quality standards to enhance patient care.
SCAI’s patient education program, Seconds Count, offers comprehensive
information about cardiovascular disease. For more information about SCAI and
Seconds Count, visit www.scai.org or www.SecondsCount.org.
