Firm in global heart surgery breakthrough
NHS Scotland spin-off showcases robot-assisted op in US
ASCOTTISH firm has made a global breakthrough in heart surgery. Glasgowbased CardioPrecision demonstrated a new robot-assisted surgery method in Chicago, replacing the aortic valve of the heart in several cadavers.
The company’s new technology allows the procedure to be carried out through a small incision in the side of the neck, much less invasive than the traditional open-heart surgery it requires. CardioPrecision, which was spun off from NHS Scotland, works to make heart surgery less invasive.
The technology was recently used in 2023, when an American hospital used it to extract a leg vein for use in a coronary artery bypass.
Leigh Aitken, brand home manager at the distillery, said: “To be named as Scotland’s Leading Distillery Tour by one of the biggest tourism award bodies in the world is such an honour.
“As an official partner of the North Coast 500, and one of the closest single malt distilleries to Inverness we look forward to welcoming even more people into the Highlands to try out our award-winning whisky experiences.
The company hopes the Chicago demonstration will boost its business in the United States, where it is hoping to expand.
The firm calls the technology it used for the demonstration AVATAR, or Advanced Videoscopic Aortic valve surgery by Transcervical Approach using Robot-assistance.
Professor Rowan Parks, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, said: “Robotic cardiac surgery is much less invasive than open-heart surgery. It removes the necessity of the surgeon having to cut through the breastbone to open the chest, in turn removing many access-related complications.
“There is clearly vast potential here and it is exciting to see a Glasgow company helping to lead the way
“Scotland is famous for our unmatched larder, scenery, and of course whiskies and in particular has so to come out on top of this category is testament to the versatile offering we have here, thanks to our team of whisky experts, bartenders, and local suppliers who each give us that extra something special.”
The Singleton Distillery was also named Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Scotland and World Whiskies Awards last year. while putting Scotland firmly on the map for this pioneering approach.” Dr Ying Sutherland, chief executive of CardioPrecision, said: “The main benefit of performing surgery via the transcervical approach – making a small incision in the neck – is that this is a very well-circulated area that heals quickly with little or no pain. Most operations done through the neck are performed as day cases.
“Our CoreVista robot enabling platform therefore opens up the groundbreaking possibility of day-case aortic valve surgery – a massive step forward in the field.
“We are tremendously grateful to have support from leading cardiothoracic surgeons in both Scotland and the USA.”