The Convergence of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A 2026 Vision of Autonomous Revascularization

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Review Paper | 2025 | Volume 1 | Issue 1 | Page 40-49

Dr. Abhisekh Gangauly,

Lecturer, Department of Cardiology, IPGMER, Kolkata

Abstract

The traditional practice of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is currently undergoing a dual transformation, shifting from manual, tactile-dependent maneuvers to a high-precision, digitalized framework. This review evaluates the clinical and technical convergence of Robotic-Assisted PCI (R-PCI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), a synergy that marks the transition from "Assisted" to "Semi-Autonomous" revascularization. By 2026, the integration of these two domains has addressed the inherent limitations of human operators, specifically intra-procedural fatigue, radiation exposure, and geographic miss.

We analyze the methodological shift where AI-driven "Computer Vision" and deep learning algorithms provide real-time, sub-millimeter lesion characterization via co-registered intravascular imaging (IVUS/OCT). This data is fed directly into robotic control units, allowing for "Smart Navigation" through complex tortuosity and calcified bifurcations. A primary focus is placed on the "Closed-Loop" Stenting concept, where AI predicts the optimal stent length and diameter, and the robotic drive executes the deployment with a precision of 0.5 mm. Furthermore, the paper discusses the 2024–2026 breakthroughs in Long-Distance Tele-Robotics, where AI-mediated latency compensation allows expert operators to perform complex interventions from remote geographic hubs. By synthesizing recent clinical trial data and engineering milestones, this paper illustrates how the convergence of robotics and AI is not merely enhancing the cardiologist’s skill set but is fundamentally redefining the safety, reproducibility, and accessibility of coronary revascularization for the next decade.