Papers
15
Total Citations
512
H-Index
12
About
Roland Richard Tilz is a prominent cardiac electrophysiologist whose research has fundamentally shaped our understanding of robotic catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). His work sits at the intersection of interventional electrophysiology and emerging navigation technologies, with a particular focus on pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) — the cornerstone procedure for treating symptomatic AF. Tilz's most influential contribution lies in his rigorous evaluation of robotic navigation systems, most notably the Hansen Robotic system, examining their efficacy, safety, and real-world clinical outcomes. His landmark 2010 study (89 citations) revealed an unexpectedly high incidence of esophageal injury during robotic PVI, a critical safety finding that prompted procedural refinements worldwide. Complementing this, his 2012 worldwide survey (66 citations) provided the field with its first large-scale multicenter assessment of robotic AF ablation methodology and complications. Beyond safety, Tilz investigated silent cerebral lesions, operator radiation exposure, and long-term procedural success, culminating in the ambitious Man and Machine Trial — a prospective international study directly comparing manual and robotic ablation approaches. With over 450 cumulative citations, his body of work has been instrumental in helping the electrophysiology community critically assess when and how robotic navigation can genuinely improve patient care.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 4Remote navigation systems in electrophysiology56 citations · 2008
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- 6Catheter Ablation – New Developments in Robotics40 citations · 2008
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