Artificial intelligence in cardiac surgery: from assistance to assurance

Authors

  • Guilherme Machado Rabello Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (InCOr-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7100-7897
  • Paulo Manuel Pêgo-Fernandes Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (InCOr-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7243-5343
  • Fabio Biscegli Jatene Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (InCOr-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6175-5595

Keywords:

Artificail Intelligence, Cardiac surgery

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a futuristic concept into an essential clinical partner. In cardiac surgery—where decisions are made in millimeters and milliseconds—AI does not threaten surgical craftsmanship but strengthens it. Algorithms capable of learning from thousands of procedures now assist surgeons with preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative precision, and postoperative surveillance. The number of AI-enabled medical devices cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has risen from 27 in 2017 to more than 1,200 in 2024, illustrating the unprecedented velocity with which digital intelligence is entering the operating room.

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Author Biographies

Guilherme Machado Rabello, Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (InCOr-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Engineer, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo. Innovation Director of InovaInCor, Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Paulo Manuel Pêgo-Fernandes, Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (InCOr-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

MD, PhD. Full Professor, Thoracic Surgery Program, Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (SP), Brazil; Director, Scientific Department, Associação Paulista de Medicina (APM), São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

Fabio Biscegli Jatene, Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (InCOr-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

MD, PhD. Full Professor, Cardiovascular Surgery Division, Coordinator of InovaInCor, Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

References

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Published

2026-05-14

How to Cite

1.
Rabello GM, Pêgo-Fernandes PM, Jatene FB. Artificial intelligence in cardiac surgery: from assistance to assurance. Sao Paulo Med J [Internet]. 2026 May 14 [cited 2026 Jun. 12];144(2):1-2. Available from: https://periodicosapm.emnuvens.com.br/spmj/article/view/3808

Issue

Vol. 144 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Editorial

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Copyright (c) 2026 São Paulo Medical Journal

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