Feasibility of robotic telestenting over long geographic distances: a pre-clinical ex vivo and in vivo study

Introduction

Significant geographic barriers limit timely access to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in many regions of the world. One proposed means to increase PCI access is telestenting, defined as the performance of PCI using a combination of robotics and telecommunications by an operator in a separate geographic location from the patient1. In the present study, the feasibility of long-distance telestenting was tested sequentially in ex vivo and in vivo models.

Methods

The ex vivo telestenting model utilised an endovascular simulator (ANGIO Mentor™; Simbionix, Littleton, CO, USA) into which guide catheters, guidewires and balloon catheters were ...