Medical care is full of innovation, from AI diagnoses to surgery assisted by robotics. However, the adoption of these advances in daily clinical practice often is left behind. This disconnection is special in surgical robotics, partly in the field of endovascular procedures.
This concern and worrying innovation and adoption is painfully evident in endovascular surgery, where robotics has the potential to improve safety, precision and results, and yet the innovation proven and approved remains underutilized.
In the last decade, surgical robotics has seen significant progress. These technologies offer greater precision, rates of reduced complications and less significant fatigue for doctors. We have seen firsthand how robotic systems can reduce the risk of important complications, such as cardiac drilling, while dramatic radiation of energy for equipment and care equipment.
And yet, more than 99% of cardiac ablation procedures for arrhythmias are still manuals. This despite the convincing evidence that robotic navigation can sacrifice superior stability, allow more consistent formation and provide ergonomic advantages for operators.
Systemic barriers for adoption
The historical and high entry barriers slowed the integration of robotics into electophysiology. The hospitals faced long installation deadlines, exhaustive infrastructure reviews and the challenge of training specialized personnel. Only for institutions excited by the potential operational friction to make the way forward.
Fortunately, much of that has changed. Modern systems are easier to install, better integrated into existing and more intuitive workflows. The learning curve has narrow but outdated perceptions persist. Decision makers often assume that robotic platforms are expectations, disruptive or too specialized when reality has changed.
The hidden cost of the delay
When adoption stops, patients suffer. Manual ablation procedures involve longer fluoroscopy times, which leads to higher cumulative radiation doses. Doctors also face avoidable occupational risks. Hospitals can lose opportunities to improve results, rationalize attention and stand out in a market full of people.
These hidden costs are less visible than capital expenses, but equally consistent.
The opportunity ahead
We stand at a turning point. As robotic systems become more accessible and health systems are familiar with their value, the balance between innovation and adoption is beginning to bow. But to fully obtain the benefits of this technology, we need more than capable tools. We need the institutional resolution to challenge obsolete assumptions and align all innovation potential with clinical operations.
Robotics has already revolutionized fields such as orthopedics and laparoscopic surgery. Endovascular care deserves the same leap forward. Technology exists. The evidence is strong. The challenge is now adoption.
Closing the innovation adoption gap will require an association between industry, doctors and leadership of the health system, but the benefits for patient care make it a priority that is worth.