Second-generation Robotic Angioplasty System Use for the Treatment of ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction: a First-in-man Proof of Concept Case Report

Background Robotically assisted remote-controlled PCI (rPCI) was introduced in the past decade as one of the latest enhancements in this rapidly evolving field. The use of a second-generation rPCI system in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an effort to couple immediate revascularization with the accuracy of newer robotic assistance and software support. Case summary Here we report on the safety and efficacy of rPCI applied to a 74-year-old female STEMI patient with persistent acute chest pain as well as regional wall motion abnormalities in the echocardiogram. The first medical contact-to-device time was 76 min, and door-to-balloon time was 33 min. The impatient course was uneventful, so the patient was discharged from hospital after 5 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful application of second-generation rPCI in STEMI. Discussion In the case presented, rPCI was feasible and safe even in acute coronary syndrome based on a single-centre experience. rPCI is a revolutionary new technique that may be applied to various types of clinical presentations.