Current and future applications of robotics in structural heart interventions.

Journal: EuroIntervention : journal of EuroPCR in collaboration with the Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology
Published Date: Jul 7, 2025

Abstract

Robotics entered the cardiovascular field in the late 1990s with a robot-assisted coronary artery bypass graft. Since then, the use of robots has become a common part of cardiovascular surgery in several types of interventions. The experience in transcatheter interventions has been slower, and the application of robotics to percutaneous coronary interventions has shown some encouraging results but also some technical limitations. Following the growth of structural heart interventions, attention has recently switched to the potential application of robotics in this field. So far, several cases have been performed in animal models and only a few cases in humans. The opportunity to perform a procedure (almost) without any X-ray exposure or lead garments is extremely attractive, especially for operators. Alongside these, there are several further potential advantages, but there are also many challenges to overcome. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the near future might further contribute to improve the performance of future generations of robots. In this review, the current and future applications of robotics in structural heart interventions and transoesophageal echocardiography will be discussed, together with the potential advantages, challenges and future perspectives.

Authors

  • Xiang Chen
    Yangtze Delta Region Institute (Huzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.
  • Giulio Russo
    Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Cardiology Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata, University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Mi Chen
    Fuwai Yunnan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
  • Zhu Da
    Fuwai Yunnan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
  • Xiangbin Pan
    Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
  • Yan Wang
    College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China.
  • Edwin Ho
    Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
  • Emiliano Votta
    Department of Electronics Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy.
  • Paolo Denti
    Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Didier Tchétché
    Cardiology Department, Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse, France.
  • Azeem Latib
    Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York.
  • Maurizio Taramasso
    HerzZentrum Hirslanden, Zurich, Switzerland.

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