Galway University Hospitals, which comprises of University Hospital Galway (UHG) and Merlin Park University Hospital (MPUH), has carried out the first robot-guided coronary intervention in the history of UK and Ireland.
The technology is used in stent procedures to relieve blockages in the heart’s arteries, and reportedly allows for the greater precision in the positioning of stents, permitting interventional cardiologists to move them one millimetre at a time.
Another key benefit of the technology is that it can offer close up views of angiographic images and provide information throughout the procedure.
It is intended for use by cardiologists as an extension of their own hand, encouraging robotic precision and details visualisation when positioning guide catheters, guidewires and balloon/stent catheters.
Prof. Faisal Sharif, consultant cardiologist at UHG, who performed the procedure: “Robotic innovation has come a long way in the last decade.
“And we in Galway are delighted to have performed the first Robotic Guided Coronary Intervention in Ireland and the UK.
“The main advantage of robotics is that it is safe and very precise in stent placement. It allows the accurate placement for up to one millimetre at a time.
“Traditionally, the coronary stent placement procedure is performed in the Cardiac Cath Lab resulting in staff exposure to radiation.
“The second main advantage of using Robotics is the reduction in radiation exposure for the staff.
“We recently successfully completed the first case and going forward we will be performing these procedures regularly.
“I would like to thank Science Foundation Ireland, University of Galway and University Hospital Galway for their support towards this innovation.”
The use of robotics in the procedure will also benefit staff, reducing their exposure to radiation.
Chris Kane, general manager of Galway University Hospitals, said: “Innovations such as this are transforming medicine and will have a significant impact on the future care for patients.
“This state-of-the-art robotics will enhance patient care for our patients across the West and Northwest of Ireland.”
