Artificial Intelligence in Cardiovascular Medicine
AI Revolution in Cardiac Surgery
What is robotic cardiac surgery?
Robotic cardiac surgery is heart surgery done through tiny cuts in the chest. The medical fraternity named this procedure da Vinci surgery. Cardiac surgeons use these midget instruments and robot-controlled tools to perform heart surgery in an MIS way. We know that these surgical procedures are less invasive than open-heart surgery. Cardiac surgeons perform robotic surgeries, which are helpful for several heart-related procedures such as valve surgery, coronary artery bypass, cardiac tissue ablation, heart defect repair, and tumour removal.
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| AI in Cardiology |
Why might you need robotic cardiac surgery?
The benefit of robotic cardiac surgery is that it is minimally invasive compared with open-heart surgery. Smaller incisions can heal faster and return to activities more quickly. Your cardiac surgeon may recommend robotic cardiac surgery if you need an artery bypass procedure to improve blood flow to the heart.
Robotic cardiac surgery may be beneficial to:
- Repair or replace stiff or leaky heart valves
- Correct atrial fibrillation, a common type of arrhythmia
What are the dangers of robotic cardiothoracic surgery?
One of the main benefits of robotic cardiac surgery is that it has fewer risks than open-heart surgery. The cardiac surgeon need not have to cut through the breastbone to open your chest. Probably, this procedure removes many of the complications of open-heart surgery.
Robotic cardiac surgery still necessitates anaesthesia and risks, as with any surgery. including
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Infection
- Death
In rare cases, your cardiac surgeon may not complete the surgery with the robot. In this case, you would need open-heart surgery. You may have other risks based on your specific medical condition. Before your procedure, discuss any concerns you may have with your cardiac surgeon.
What should you do to prepare for robotic cardiac surgery?
Your cardiac surgeon will review your medical history, lifestyle, and the overall severity of the disease to evaluate if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
- Your cardiac surgeon will explain the procedure, and you can ask questions.
- You need to sign a consent form to complete the formalities.
- In addition to a thorough medical history, cardiac surgeons may conduct a physical exam to ensure you are in otherwise good health before the procedure.
- You may also have blood tests and other diagnostic tests.
- Your cardiac surgeons may recommend taking aspirin before the procedure.
- If you are pregnant or think you can discuss with your cardiac surgeons.
- Inform your cardiac surgeons about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements you are using.
- Inform your cardiac surgeons if you have a history of bleeding disorders.
- You may need to stop these medicines before the procedure.
- Tell your cardiac surgeons if you have a pacemaker or other implanted heart device.
- If you smoke, stop smoking as soon as possible before the procedure. This action will improve your chances of successful recovery from surgery.
- You may ask to fast for 8 hours before the procedure, generally stopping eating, drinking, or oral medicines after night.
- Your cardiac surgeons may request other specific preparations.
What takes place during robotic cardiac surgery?
The following is a sequence of procedures that will most likely occur during robotic cardiac surgery:
- You may be given a sedative before the surgical procedure to help you relax.
- For the surgical procedure, you will be sedated and have a breathing tube inserted.
- On the side of your chest, your surgeon will make a series of keyhole-sized incisions. These incisions will line up with the gaps between your ribs.
- You may shift to the heart-lung machine for the procedure.
- Your surgeon will insert several precision-guided robotic arms into these incisions.
- These robotic arms hold and manipulate tiny instruments to perform the necessary tasks on the heart or surrounding arteries.
- A tiny video camera will connect through another incision to provide a magnified, three-dimensional image of the operating site.
- Your surgeon will control the robotic arms and camera from a console within the operating room.
- After completion of the procedure, your surgeon will remove the instruments and close the incisions.
What occurs following robotic cardiac surgery?
After the surgery, you will shift to the recovery area for monitoring. You can expect a relatively short hospital stay, usually half as long as with traditional open-heart surgery. Your surgeon will typically discharge you once your pain is under control, you can keep liquids down without nausea and vomiting, and your lab tests appear near-normal or near your baseline before the procedure.
You can also expect less scarring on your chest. Open heart surgery may leave a 10-inch scar on your chest. Robotic cardiac surgery leaves a few minor marks on the side of your chest.
- Robotic cardiac surgery is a groundbreaking advancement in cardiovascular medicine, demonstrating precision and minimally invasive capabilities.
- Surgeons can now perform complex interventions with greater accuracy and control, surpassing the limitations of traditional open-heart surgery.
- Patients benefit from smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, quicker recovery times, less postoperative pain and faster return to daily activities.
- Robotic-assisted procedures decrease the risk of complications and infections, enhancing the patient experience.
- The technology has democratised access to high-quality cardiac care, benefiting individuals from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations.
To ensure sustainable integration into medical practice, we must address challenges like:
- Considering the costs involved
- Meeting surgeon training requirements
- Keeping up with ongoing technological advancements
- The future of robotic cardiac surgery looks promising, pushing the boundaries of cardiac care and significantly impacting patient outcomes.
- Collaborative efforts among the medical community, policymakers, and stakeholders are crucial to ensuring the safe, accessible, and beneficial implementation of this transformative approach.