In a groundbreaking achievement, surgeons from Dundee and the United States executed the world’s first remote thrombectomy on a human cadaver, marking a significant advancement in stroke treatment. This groundbreaking procedure, directed by Professor Iris Grunwald, marked the first time advanced robotics designed by Lithuanian company Sentante were applied in such surgery. We believe this innovative approach will improve access to life-saving stroke treatments for patients across the country—especially those in rural communities.
Yet even the most innovative surgery took place in a vacuum. All subjects had been embalmed post-mortem within the last three years. During the experiment, Prof Grunwald and her colleague, Dr. Ricardo Hanel, were able to monitor live X-ray images of the body, providing real-time insights into the procedure’s effectiveness. The team aims to advance to clinical trials next year, which could change the future of how thrombectomies are conducted.
Thrombectomy is an important life-saving intervention for eligible stroke patients. It dissolves blood clots that stop blood flow to the brain. A worldwide deficit of skilled physicians makes it a dangerous procedure. Even more troubling, this represents just 2.2% of all stroke patients that even receive thrombectomies. A whopping 1,045 people have turned to medication to dissolve these clots.
Each six-minute increase in time to treatment results in a 1% decrease in the likelihood of a positive outcome. This reality underscores just how important it is to deliver timely treatment to stroke survivors. As Prof Grunwald pointed out, “For every 6 minute delay, you are 1% more likely to have a poor outcome.” Remote control thrombectomies would eliminate the need for this lengthy internal travel time for patients and expand access to this life-saving procedure.
At present, only three cities in Scotland—Dundee, Glasgow, and Edinburgh—provide thrombectomy services. Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association charity, expressed concern over the limited access: “For too long, people living in remote and rural areas have been deprived of access to thrombectomy.” She called the new achievements “a tremendous breakthrough,” one that could change the future of stroke care.
Prof. Grunwald’s commitment to making thrombectomy available has led to her being awarded a New Year’s Honours Award from Innovate UK. She is vice president of the World Federation for Interventional Stroke Treatment, a testament to her leadership and dedication in advancing this critical field. Her vision of what stroke care could look like in the future speaks volumes to the promise of this robotic technology. Together, with this emerging technology comes the promise of exciting new opportunities. It helps you save those few invaluable minutes—whether you live in a rural area or a bustling city—so your brain power is always on point.
The Sentante robot employed in the recent procedure integrates easily with conventional catheters and wires. These are the same tools that surgeons like plasmapheresis during thrombectomies. This integration makes for a more enjoyable and efficient experience at work and may make training practitioners easier in remote or hybrid environments.
The team’s commitment to advancing stroke treatment directly relates to the growing demand for greater access to thrombectomies around the globe. More research, especially comparative effectiveness trials, is just down the pike. Our ultimate aspiration for all these innovations is to drive more equitable healthcare solutions for all stroke patients.