This session serves as an introduction to robotic cardiac surgery for surgeons who are interested in starting a program. The content includes the history, evidence, and finances for robotic cardiac surgery, as well as training options, credentialing, and perspectives from hospital administrators and CEOs.

This online activity is supported by an educational grant from Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Outline steps and finances for creating a robotics cardiac surgery program within a hospital setting.
• Coordinate surgical plans for robotic cardiac surgery procedural steps from the beginning to the end of the procedure.
• Outline preop evaluation, patient selection, and postoperative care pathways.
• Describe the multidisciplinary components of building a robotic cardiac surgery program from hospital administration to healthcare team personnel.
• Identify the ideal prerequisites for surgeon selection and the hospital/program selection for starting and sustaining a robotic cardiac surgery program.