St Mary's Hospital pioneers world's first robotic arm to navigate heart for common cardiac procedure

St Mary's Hospital in London is pioneering the world's first robot able to navigate the human heart during a popular procedure to eliminate heart rhythm disorders - catheter ablation.  The robotic device, used to treat the world's most common heart rhythm disorder –atrial fibrillation (AF), could dramatically reduce clinical risk for patients.  The advancement has the potential to simplify complex procedures and not only increase patient safety but also the availability of the procedure.

The Sensei Robotic Catheter system, by Hansen Medical, was launched globally in May with St Mary's announced as the World's first centre for training and development.   More than 20 St Mary's patients have already been operated on by the robotic surgical hand, which is controlled by a doctor from a nearby console station. ( Read more...)  NOVA Página completa !

AF, which produces a fast and irregular heart beat, is a major cause of strokes and heart failure and has been calculated to cost the NHS almost 1 per cent of its entire annual budget.

For many patients, a catheter ablation is the most effective way of treating AF, however a shortage of clinicians able to perform these complex procedures contributes to thousands living with the condition and its associated risks.  Every year in the UK more than 50,000 people develop AF, but less than 10 per cent undergo catheter ablation.

The non-invasive procedure involves inserting several thin wires and tubes into the heart through veins and arteries. When carefully placed at target sites, various energies are delivered to destroy the tiny areas of heart muscle, identified as the cause of the rhythm abnormality. The robot enables the stable positioning and control of these thin wires, often in locations that are difficult to reach and stabilise.

St Mary's, which runs one of the UK's busiest cardiac centres is home to the world's first  Sensei robot, one of only four hospitals in the world who are pioneering the innovative technique.

St Mary's Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Wyn Davies, said the robot has enormous potential to help deliver difficult catheter ablation procedures. “ In the UK a shortage of expertise means there are too few centres where highly complex cases can be carried out. With further development that we are already embarking on, this robot will enable complex procedures to be carried out almost automatically, increasing the opportunities to treat more patients and ultimately reducing clinical risk" .

The robot allows accuracy and control of catheter movement which cannot currently be achieved without a skill level that usually takes considerable time to acquire. We are thrilled that St Mary's cardiology unit has been able to pioneer this exciting advance. With the other surgical robotic programmes already established at the hospital, St. Mary's is a world leader in robotic medicine.

Notes to readers: 

§ The Sensei robotic system was developed by Hansen Medical and given US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to commercialise the robot in May 2007. A full press pack for the robot including photography and animation is available at www.hansenmedical.com

§ St Mary's NHS Trust ( www.st-marys.nhs.uk ) is located in the heart of Paddington, London , and provides a wide range of general and specialist hospital services from the world famous St Mary's Hospital and the Western Eye Hospital in Marylebone. Awarded a ‘good' performance in the 2006 NHS performance ratings, the Trust's 3,600 staff provide care for people locally and from across the UK in the areas of specialist women's health, cardiology, children's services, infection and immunity and robotic surgery. The hospitals have one of the lowest mortality rates in the UK - a key indicator of clinical quality - and a rich history of research, development and teaching thriving today through the relationship with internationally renowned university partner, Imperial College London.

§ Although capable of use in all forms of ablation procedures the robot will predominately be used for complex ablation procedures to treat Atrial Fibrillation.  A Catheter ablation is often the most effective way of treating heart rhythm abnormalities and is a relatively non-invasive technique than can often be performed as a day case procedure.  It involves the passage of several thin wires and tubes into the heart via veins and arteries. The heart is then stimulated and mapped using these wires allowing the cardiologist to identify those areas causing the abnormal heart rhythm. When carefully placed at target sites, various energies can then be delivered to destroy the very small areas of heart muscle that have been identified as the cause of the rhythm abnormality.

§ The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with age, with more men affected than women.  According to NICE guidance costing report (July 2006) more than 1.4 million UK patients registered with a GP had AF. The direct cost of healthcare for AF is believed to be around 1 per cent of the entire NHS budget based on the National Institute  of Healh and Clinical Excellence (NICE) cost impact report,July 2006 http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=cg36costimpact

§ The number of patients diagnosed with AF is expected to increase even more due to an aging population, a rising number of people with chronic heart disease and improved diagnostic technologies. Additionally, AF is associated with increased long-term risk for severe and disabling stroke, and it is estimated that 15-to-20 percent of strokes occur in people with AF.

Source: St Mary's Hospital
Connecting for Health  26th July 2007