The Beat With Joel Dunning Ep. 172: Intraoperative AI Copilot in Robotic Cardiac Surgery

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Jacques Kpodonu, a cardiac surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, about the use of intraoperative artificial intelligence (AI) copilots in robotic cardiac surgery.

They discussed building data sets for future robotic autonomy, the process of training AI copilots for robotic surgery, and utilizing these systems for teaching and coaching. The conversation also covered creating operative reports with AI copilots and robotics in low-resource countries. Furthermore, they explored the costs of robotics, the role of automated tasks in assisting surgeons, the development of physical AI in humanoid robots, utilizing AI to create annotations, and how surgeons can become actively involved in the field of AI.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a systematic review and meta-analysis of cryopreserved and antibiotic-preserved saphenous vein homografts versus polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts in pediatric patients; single-stage repair of ruptured aortic arch with coarctation using dual perfusion strategy; the 2026 expert consensus document on timing, indications, and options for pulmonary valve replacement in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot; the role of self-regulation and leadership in dealing with pressures in the operating room; and one-year outcomes of novel size-adjustable pulmonary valve US early feasibility study.

In addition, Joel explores redefining the two-patch technique for complete AV canal repair, transaortic Alfieri stitch for mitral valve repair, modified Bentall, and hemiarch repair, and an episode of The Atrium podcast featuring host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaking with Dr. Traves Crabtree about the Oral Board AI Simulator (OBAS).

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

1. The Battle of the Shunts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cryopreserved and Antibiotic-Preserved Saphenous Vein Homografts Versus Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts for Systemic-to-Pulmonary Artery Shunts in Pediatric Patients
2. Single-Stage Repair of Ruptured Aortic Arch With Coarctation Using Dual Perfusion Strategy
3. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons / World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery / European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association 2026 Expert Consensus Document on Timing, Indications, and Options for Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Children With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot
4. Performance Under Pressure: The Role of Self-Regulation and Leadership in Dealing With Pressures in the OR
5. Novel Size-Adjustable Pulmonary Valve US Early Feasibility Study: One-Year Outcomes

CTSNet Content Mentioned

1. The Atrium: Oral Board AI Simulator
2. Redefining the Two-Patch Technique for Complete AV Canal Repair: Routine LAVV Augmentation
3. Alfieri Stitch for Mitral Valve Repair, Modified Bentall, and Hemiarch Repair

Other Items Mentioned

1. The TAVR Heart Team in 2026: Navigating the CMS Decision | CTSNet Webinar
2. Oral Board AI Simulator
3. CTSNet Innovation Video Competition
4. Career Center
5. CTSNet Events

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