An overview of basic considerations for robotic coronary artery bypass, including port placement, minithoracotomy, anastomosis, and internal mammary artery (IMA) takedown, are provided in this session. Detailed procedural steps are included, as well as perspectives on achieving expertise and on operating in a private practice environment.

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.