The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into the field of cardiothoracic surgery. AI has steadily gained notoriety from its potential to revolutionize medical decision making, data analytics, and genomic processing. This technology has the potential to improve the care of complex patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, from preoperative risk assessment and intraoperative guidance to postoperative monitoring and management. AI is being implemented into all dimensions of cardiothoracic surgery at a rapid rate. Still, significant challenges to its immediate and widespread implementation exist as well as practical limitations and ethical considerations that, to date, have been outpaced by the incorporation of this novel technology. This chapter will explore current developments in AI as they relate to the field of cardiothoracic surgery.