Glasgow medtech CardioPrecision has announced the successful execution of what it claims is the first-ever robot-assisted heart valve replacement in a live clinical case.

The procedure, carried out at the Cleveland Clinic in the US, saw the firm’s CoreVista Robot Enabling Platform perform a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, undertaken via a neck incision.

According to the firm, the innovative surgery, performed by Dr. Marijan Koprivanac, minimises risks associated with conventional open-heart surgery, giving patients less pain and allowing for faster recovery.

CardioPrecision said that its AVATAR (Advanced Videoscopic Aortic surgery by Transcervical Approach using Robot-assistance) platform harnesses the ‘exceptional dexterity’ afforded by surgical robots.

“The journey to realise our vision – to enable heart surgery to be performed through a small incision in the neck – began over a decade ago and is already delivering tangible patient benefits,” said Fraser Sutherland, chief medical officer at CardioPrecision.

“It’s truly gratifying to witness the concept turns to reality. Our aspiration is that every cardiac surgeon could offer this procedure to their patients.”

The company, which secured Scottish Investment Bank funding in both 2019 and 2020 as well as support from InnoScot Health in 2022, launched its suite of CoreVista devices four years ago, followed by the AVATAR platform last year.

Recommended reading

• Glasgow Uni Unveils New Magnetism Lab for MedTech Research
• Glasgow MedTech Novosound Targets FDA Clearance with New Exec Appointment
• New UK Gov MedTech Investment to Future-proof NHS

The Scottish medtech then undertook a series of cadaver-based demonstrations of the technology in the US, with early clinical data later being presented by Dr Koprivanac at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) annual meeting.

“Combining the artificial heart valve with this new surgical technology means patients should experience less pain and time in the hospital following heart surgery, “said Dr Koprivanac. 

“In fact, we believe that this may be one of the least invasive surgical heart valve replacement options now available.”

According to InnoScot Health figures from last year, three out of four cardiac centres in Scotland are now using CardioPrecision’s technology during heart surgery, helping to move the country from more dangerous and costly open surgical techniques to minimally invasive operations, providing better patient outcomes.