Mario Gaudino discusses cardiac surgery trends.

Cardiac surgery is going through major changes as a result of technological advances, evolving patient demographics and intensified collaborations with interventional cardiology. These factors are pushing surgeons to adapt to the times or risk being left behind.

Mario Gaudino, MD, PhD, director of translational and clinical research and the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, is at the forefront of this evolving landscape. He spoke with Cardiovascular Business and outlined several key trends shaping the future of cardiac surgery.

Considering the value of minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery, both robotic and non-robotic, has long been a tantalizing goal in cardiac care. The appeal is clear: smaller incisions, potentially faster recoveries and less trauma. But Gaudino warns that the rush to adopt these methods often outpaces the evidence supporting them.

“These are techniques that are generally more challenging to perform technically and they're also more expensive very often, so we need to show that there is a benefit for the patient,” he said.