Episode # 18 • 30 Dec 2025
The Role of Minimally Invasive Robotic Cardiac Surgery in Modern Cardiology Practice
From sternotomy to software, the booming field of robotic cardiac surgery is bringing new minimally invasive treatment approaches to well-traveled cardiology conditions. This week on the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Amber Edwards, a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon from Ascension St. Thomas in Nashville, shares her expertise in robotic cardiac surgery with host and Tennessee neighbor Dr. Hady Lichaa. The two physicians discuss the growth and technical advancements within robotic cardiac surgery, including the burgeoning field of hybrid revascularization.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
03:33 - MIDCAB and TECAB Procedures
07:11 - Preoperative Testing and Considerations
09:09 - Challenges and Complexities in Robotic Surgery
17:20 - Hybrid Revascularization and Antiplatelet Therapy
26:02 - The Future and Adoption of Robotic Surgery
30:56 - Exploring Robotic Left Atrial Appendage Ligation
32:03 - The Convergent Procedure for AFib Patients
40:56 - Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery: Techniques and Benefits
47:11 - The Future of Robotic Cardiac Surgery
50:20 - Conclusion
Resources
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More about this episode
Dr. Edwards outlines her journey in the cardiothoracic field, sharing her experiences with pioneers of minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgeries. The discussion explores various procedures, including totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB), minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), and robotic LIMA to LAD bypass. Dr. Edwards also elaborates on robotic left atrial appendage ligations, robotic mitral and aortic valve surgeries, and conversion procedures for atrial fibrillation, highlighting their technical challenges, patient selection, and potential for broader adoption.
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