Randall K. Wolf is an Associate Professor of Surgery and the Director of the Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery and Robotics at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Wolf spent five years developing endoscopic robotic surgery and is the first U.S. surgeon to have clinical experience with totally endoscopic cardiac surgery. In December of 1998, he began performing totally endoscopic cardiac surgeries in Europe and he recently performed the first such procedure in North America at Ohio State University. He has recently completed the first FDA study with the Da Vinci robotic system for cardiac surgery and is currently performing live telesurgeries using this new technology. His initial studies were presented at the recent European Association for Cardiac Surgery.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Wolf attended Indiana University, where he obtained his BA in 1975 and his MD in 1979. Dr. Wolf lives in New Albany, Ohio with his wife Amy Sternstein, M.D. and their three children.

2.05.01 Denzel Hardesty asked:
Dr. Wolf, you performed bypass surgery on me in May 1993. For that, I thank you and the Lord. I have Atrial Fibrillation for which I received shock therapy, but without success. I am taking medication for this condition, but would like to know what advances are being undertaken to eliminate this form of heart disease.

Wolf's response:
Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic rhythm to the upper chambers of the heart. The lower chambers, which pump the majority of the blood still beat in a more regular rhythm. The result is slightly less blood pumps from the heart per minute and a generally irregular heartbeat. Some patients with this condition have significant symptoms while other patients have no symptoms. The condition may exist alone or in the background of hardening of the arteries and/or valvular disease. Medications may help but many patients continue to suffer from atrial fibrillation despite medications. Unfortunately many of the medications have significant side effects as well. I am working diligently on a minimally invasive surgical approach to cure atrial fibrillation and hope to be in clinical studies here at OSU within the next year.

There is an operation for atrial fibrillation which restores the heart to normal rhythm. However, many patients are not candidates for what is a fairly invasive operation. Catheter based techniques are in development but have several hurdles to clear. Over the past year my group here at OSU have been working diligently on a minimally invasive approach to restore regular rhythm. I hope to be able to offer this minimally invasive procedure for sufferers of atrial fibrillation within the next year. I predict this will be an exciting development and you should stay tuned.

2.05.01 Jeff asked:
Is there any connection with the da Vinci system and Robodoc? I believe Robodoc is based in (UC?)Davis and is owned by Integrated Surgical Systems (RDOC). What are the differences in the two systems? Is the Da Vinci system owned by a public company? Thank you.

Wolf's response:
Robodoc was developed to perform a precise drilling of the leg bone during orthopedic hip replacement. There is no connection between this system and the Intuitive system. The da Vinci system from Intuitive Surgical is a very highly developed computer assisted system which incorporates 3D vision and endo-wrist instruments for microsurgery. The Robodoc is an automated drill - a big difference. The da Vinci system is a trademark of Intuitivce Surgical. They went public within the last year and are currently trading on NASDAQ. As a principal investigator I have no stock in the company.