Technological advancements for improving preoperative assessment and precision in cardiovascular surgery

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular surgery, including cardiac surgery and complex endovascular procedure, needs careful preoperative planning as well as intraoperative precision to improve outcomes and ameliorate complications. During the last decades, several technological advancements have been made that could improve preoperative assessment, design of the surgical procedure, risk prediction as well as surgical precision. AREAS COVERED: Several areas of technological advancements referring to cardiovascular surgery are discussed in this review. Data have been collected using the Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. We report advancements regarding the utilization of artificial intelligence in preoperative assessment and risk prediction. We also report on advancements made in intraoperative imaging including holographic and fusion imaging techniques. Furthermore, operating techniques such as the use of novel endovascular tools or robotic surgery are also discussed. Finally, other novel technologies, such as three-dimentional (3D) printing, is also presented. EXPERT OPINION: In the next 5 years, technological advancements in cardiovascular surgery will be definitely improved and more broadly used. Although these advancements are associated with a very high cost and a longer learning curve, the associated healthcare cost benefit is evident. Due to bioethical reasons, this progress will need to be contained and controlled by humans.