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January 18, 2026Open Access

Clinical Feasibility of Robotic-Assisted Endovascular Visceral Interventions

Key Points

The study aims to assess the clinical feasibility of robotic-assisted endovascular visceral interventions to reduce physical strain and enable remote operations.
Conducted a prospective, single-center study with 45 patients from 05/2024 to 09/2024.
Patients assigned to manual (27 patients) or robotic-assisted treatments (18 patients) for elective endovascular procedures.
Compared radiation dose, examination time, procedure duration, and fluoroscopy time between robotic and manual interventions.
18 robotic-assisted procedures had an 88.9% technical success rate, with 16 successful and 2 manual conversions.
No significant differences in median fluoroscopy time, procedural dose, or procedure duration between robotic and conventional methods.
Operator radiation exposure was significantly lower in robotic interventions, averaging 0.000 mSv compared to 0.005 mSv for manual procedures.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Assessment of the clinical feasibility of robot-assisted endovascular visceral interventions to reduce physical strain caused by prolonged standing and enabling remote interventions. Material and Methods Between 05/2024 and 09/2024, 45 patients were included in this prospective, single-center study. Patients scheduled for elective endovascular abdominal and pelvic interventions with superselective catheterization were assigned to manual (27 patients) or robotic-assisted treatment (18 patients). Radiation dose of the interventionalist, examination time (including preparation and follow-up), procedure duration and fluoroscopy time were compared between procedures using the CorPath GRX platform (Corindus, Waltham, MA) and conventional procedures. Technical success of robotic interventions was defined as achieving stable microcatheter positioning at the predefined target treatment point in the target vessel under robotic navigation, allowing execution of the planned therapy without conversion to manual navigation. Results 18 patients underwent robotic-assisted interventions (mean age 68 ± 12 years; 15 male), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) ( n = 9), 99m Tc- MAA simulation (MAA)/transarterial radioembolization (TARE) ( n = 2) and prostatic artery embolization (PAE) ( n = 7). 27 comparable procedures were performed manually (mean age 68 ± 10 years; 21 male): TACE ( n = 13); MAA/TARE ( n = 7); PAE ( n = 7). 16/18 (88.9%; 95%-CI (Wilson) 67.3–96.7%) robotic-assisted procedures were technically successful, with manual conversion occurring in 2 patients (11.1%; 95%-CI (Wilson) 3.1–32.8%). Neither median fluoroscopy time nor procedural dose, procedure duration or examination time differed between the robotic and conventional interventions 19 min (IQR 19.55) vs. 31 min (IQR 19.85); p = .053; 107.85 Gycm 2 (IQR 164.03) vs. 128.00 Gycm 2 (IQR 186.20); p = .286; 65 min (IQR 35.50) vs. 59 min (IQR 49.00); p = .711; 100 min (IQR 37.50) vs. 100 min (IQR 40.00); p = .853. In comparison with conventional procedures, the operator’s dose was lower in robotic interventions 0.000 mSv (IQR 0.000) vs. 0.005 mSv (IQR 0.005); p < .001. Conclusion Findings from this pilot case series indicate that robotic-assisted endovascular visceral interventions are feasible and demonstrate a high technical success rate, while simultaneously providing the interventionalist zero radiation exposure through remote operation from the control room. Graphical Abstract

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Cite This Study

Wagenpfeil et al. (Fri,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/696c785beb60fb80d13967cf https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-025-04340-z

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