Current and Future View on Artificial Intelligence in Cardiothoracic Surgery

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, vol. 68

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant advancements across various surgical disciplines. Its evolution has been remarkable, transitioning from single-purpose models to sophisticated multi-task foundation models, including multimodal models based on transformers or AI agents including large language models (LLMs). Vision language models and Generative AI are currently transforming the way surgical procedures are analysed. These advancements have the potential to enhance decision-making, precision, and patient outcomes. However, one of the most pressing challenges in surgical AI is data integration. The complex and dynamic nature of the surgical environment makes it difficult to aggregate and utilize diverse data sources effectively. Ensuring seamless integration is crucial for optimizing AI applications in surgery. In this work, we highlight existing resources, key concepts, and notable research efforts in education and training and perioperative support. By showcasing examples from cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) and other fields, we aim to provide insights into AI’s expanding role and the ongoing efforts to enhance its effectiveness in surgical practice.

Authors 14

1. Sandy Engelhardt corresponding

   Heidelberg University · University Hospital Heidelberg · German Centre for Cardiovascular Research

   Affiliation as printed

   DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg-Mannheim , Heidelberg 69120,

   Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg D-69120,

   Medical Faculty of University Heidelberg, Heidelberg University , Heidelberg 69120,

2. Georgii Kostiuchik

   Heidelberg University · University Hospital Heidelberg · German Centre for Cardiovascular Research

   Affiliation as printed

   DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg-Mannheim , Heidelberg 69120,

   Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg D-69120,

   Medical Faculty of University Heidelberg, Heidelberg University , Heidelberg 69120,

3. Branislav Bezák

   University of Ostrava · University Hospital Ostrava

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava , Ostrava 703 00,

   University Hospital in Ostrava , Ostrava 703 00,

4. Jacob Chacko

   Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals , Nottingham NG5 1PB,

5. Edgar J. Daeter

   St. Antonius Ziekenhuis · European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital , Nieuwegein 3430 EM,

   European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, EACTS House , Windsor SL4 1EU,

6. Hazem B. Fallouh

   Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Thoracic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham , Birmingham B15 2GW,

7. Philippe Grieshaber

   University of Münster · University Hospital Münster

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Münster University Hospital , Münster 48149,

8. Nabil Hussein

   Great Ormond Street Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust , London WC1N 3JH,

9. Alexander Meyer

   Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin · Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité · German Centre for Cardiovascular Research · Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data · Technische Universität Berlin · Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

   Affiliation as printed

   Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data—TU Berlin , Berlin 10587,

   Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin , Berlin 13353,

   DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin , Berlin 10117,

   Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC) , Berlin 13353,

10. Paola Quattroni

    European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

    Affiliation as printed

    European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, EACTS House , Windsor SL4 1EU,

11. Gabriele Romano

    Heidelberg University · University Hospital Heidelberg · German Centre for Cardiovascular Research

    Affiliation as printed

    DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg-Mannheim , Heidelberg 69120,

    Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital , Heidelberg D-69120,

    Medical Faculty of University Heidelberg, Heidelberg University , Heidelberg 69120,

12. Amir H. Sadeghi

    Radboud University Nijmegen · Radboud University Medical Center · University Medical Center Utrecht

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center , Nijmegen 6500 HB,

    Heart and Lung Division, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht 3584 CX,

13. Mark Gerard Hazekamp Aachen Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery

    Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden 2333 ZA,

14. Friedhelm Beyersdorf

    University of Freiburg · University Medical Center Freiburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Freiburg, Medical Faculty of the Albert-Ludwigs-University , Freiburg D-79106,