Robot-aided heart valve surgery is set to break new ground, as CardioPrecision makes a groundbreaking announcement.
CardioPrecision's groundbreaking AVATAR procedure for robotic-assisted aortic valve replacement has been successfully performed at the Cleveland Clinic, marking a world-first achievement as of early August 2025 [1][2][3]. The procedure utilises CardioPrecision's CoreVista® Robot Enabling Platform, allowing surgeons to replace the aortic valve through a small incision in the neck rather than the traditional open-chest approach.
Significant Impact
The clinical impact of this minimally invasive approach includes:
- Minimally invasive access to the aortic valve, reducing surgical trauma, pain, and recovery time for patients compared to conventional open-heart surgery.
- Use of a sutureless artificial valve (Corcym’s Perceval Plus) combined with the robotic platform to further streamline the procedure and enhance patient outcomes [4].
- Early clinical cases led by Dr. Marijan Koprivanac and his team at the Cleveland Clinic have shown the procedure to be safe, with ongoing refinements improving efficiency and reducing operation times [3].
- The procedure has generated interest and further clinical application potential, with the Cleveland Clinic collaborating with other institutions like the University of Chicago to expand the technique [3].
Promising Results
This pioneering procedure represents a significant breakthrough in cardiac surgery by introducing a less invasive, robotic-assisted alternative for aortic valve replacement. Patients undergoing this procedure experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery [1][2][4]. Early clinical results are promising, and ongoing work aims to make the procedure more repeatable and widespread in cardiac centers.
International Recognition
The Cleveland Clinic's heart programme is internationally renowned for its leading cardiovascular care. The transcervical approach is intended to minimise risks associated with conventional open-heart surgery.
Industry Advancements
In addition to CardioPrecision's advancements, Johnson & Johnson announced the first cases in Europe of the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution [5]. The aspiration is for every cardiac surgeon to offer this procedure to their patients, bringing minimally invasive heart surgery to a broader population.
Support and Collaboration
InnoScot Health continues to support CardioPrecision's world-leading capabilities and remains on its board during this important time in its success. Glasgow-based company CardioPrecision has executed the first clinical cases of robotic aortic valve replacement through a tiny incision in the neck.
References
[1] CardioPrecision. (2025). First-in-human robotic-assisted transcervical aortic valve replacement performed at Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.cardioprecision.com/news/first-in-human-robotic-assisted-transcervical-aortic-valve-replacement-performed-at-cleveland-clinic
[2] Cleveland Clinic. (2025). CardioPrecision's first-in-human robotic-assisted transcervical aortic valve replacement performed at Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2025/08/02/cardioprecisions-first-in-human-robotic-assisted-transcervical-aortic-valve-replacement-performed-at-cleveland-clinic/
[3] Marijan Koprivanac, et al. (2025). Robotic-assisted transcervical aortic valve replacement: early clinical experience. Presented at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery annual meeting and the International Society for Minimally Invasive cardiothoracic Surgery annual meeting in May.
[4] Corcym Medical. (2025). Perceval Plus: the world's first sutureless aortic valve. Retrieved from https://www.corcym.com/perceval-plus/
[5] Johnson & Johnson. (2025). VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution: first cases in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.jnjinnovation.com/news/velys-robotic-assisted-solution-first-cases-in-europe
Digital health advancements, such as the AVATAR procedure for robotic-assisted aortic valve replacement, have the potential to improve health-and-wellness by reducing medical-conditions associated with open-heart surgery, like pain, hospital stay duration, and recovery time. The collaboration between the Cleveland Clinic and other institutions, like the University of Chicago, is a step towards making digital health solutions more accessible for cardiovascular-health patients worldwide.
