UHN launches new robotic cardiac surgery program

University Health Network (UHN) has launched a new robotic cardiac surgery program at Toronto’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, expanding access to minimally invasive approaches for patients undergoing complex heart procedures.

The program is being led by Dr. Ali Hage, UHN’s Director of Robotic Cardiac Surgery, who recently joined the organization from NYU Langone Health, where he worked as an attending cardiac surgeon in a major robotic mitral valve program.

Hage brings specialized experience in robotic cardiac surgery, complex mitral and tricuspid valve repair, cardiac arrhythmia surgery and structural heart disease. His training includes a fellowship in robotic cardiac surgery and complex mitral valve reconstruction at Cleveland Clinic.

Robotic cardiac surgery allows surgeons to perform certain procedures through smaller incisions rather than the traditional approach of opening the breastbone. For appropriate patients, minimally invasive approaches can offer benefits including less pain, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays and a faster return to daily activities.

The new robotic program builds on UHN’s existing expertise in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre already performs minimally invasive procedures involving coronary bypass surgery, aortic surgery and mitral and tricuspid valve repair and replacement.

An important part of the initiative will also be education and training.

The program is expected to help develop robotic cardiac surgery expertise among Canadian physicians. UHN already supports robotic-assisted surgical training through the Michener Institute of Education and its advanced surgical education and simulation facilities, where surgical teams can practise robotic techniques in simulated operating-room environments.

Hage’s work at UHN is also expected to combine surgery with research and technological innovation. His research interests include integrating artificial intelligence, computer vision and advanced imaging into cardiac surgery, particularly robotic mitral valve procedures.

The launch adds robotic cardiac surgery to UHN’s growing portfolio of advanced surgical technologies and could help expand both patient access and Canadian expertise in minimally invasive heart surgery.

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