In a world-first trial, a robot has been used to help treat dozens of heart attack patients at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney.

Doctors say the technology has a promising future after positive preliminary results.

The robotic arm was put to work in a world-first trial to help fix dozens of hearts, including Scott Barraclough's.

Scans showed the 59-year-old's clogged artery.

"I had an 80 per cent blockage in one of the arteries," Barraclough said.

At the time, he didn't feel chest pain, but his whole body was aching.

"I felt tired and out of breath so I had a sit down but I couldn't get comfortable sitting down so I laid down," he said.

Barraclough consented to a trial at Liverpool Hospital.

The robotic arm takes centre stage, and is compared to procedures done manually.

While the incision is still done by hand, the robot delivers the wire, stent and balloon from the wrist to the heart.

It is all controlled by a doctor in another room.

"We can step outside, away from the radiation, remove our heavy leads, and have more visualisation," Professor Craig Juergens said.

"[It] also improves the precision, because we see the structures of the heart more clearly to be able to do the procedure more accurately," Dr James Leung said.

In total, 148 patients took part in the trial that included Barraclough, who was awake throughout.

"It went so smoothly, I didn't realise I was part of it," he said.

All cases were completed safely, and there were no complications. 

The full results are expected to be announced at an international conference in the coming months.

"Even the patient can benefit from less radiation because the procedure is a little bit more precise," Leung said.

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