Robotic Heart Surgery: India’s Answer to Rising Cardiac Burden

In India, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most urgent health issues. According to recent estimates, around 213 million Indians would either have severe heart disease or be at risk for it by 2025. This enormous burden puts a strain on surgeons, hospitals, and families alike, and it emphasizes how urgent it is to increase access to cutting-edge treatment alternatives.

One technology gaining ground in this effort is robotic-assisted cardiac surgery. Once viewed as a niche, it is now rapidly changing how surgeons operate and how patients recover. Unlike conventional open-heart procedures, advanced robotic-assisted surgery systems like da Vinci provide 3D, high-resolution views and instruments capable of greater precision than the human hand. For patients, the result means smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster returns to daily life. For hospitals, it means reduced complications and the ability to treat more people with existing infrastructure.

The ongoing transformation occurring in operating rooms across India was at the heart of discussions at SMICTSI Bengaluru 2025, the annual conference of the Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of India, which brought together global leaders and Indian pioneers in cardiac care. Among them were renowned experts in the field. Together, they painted a picture of a country that is adopting robotic-assisted surgery quickly and shaping its global future.

From skepticism to patient demand

When Apollo Hospitals introduced the da Vinci surgical robot into cardiac surgery in 2019, the first hospital ever in India to do so, patients were hesitant to avail themselves of it. “At that time, patients would often say, ‘Doctor, I need your hands; I don’t want robotic-assisted surgery,’” recalled Dr. Sathyaki Nambala. “Now, in 2025, the situation is entirely different. Patients come in asking specifically for robotic-assisted heart surgery. They say openly, ‘I want robotic-assisted surgery; I don’t want any other kind of surgery.’ Some even refuse surgery if they are told they are not suitable for robotics.”

Patients, he said, are more empowered now and no longer want to endure the pain, long recovery, or restrictions that come with traditional open-heart surgery. “They would rather not spend a long time sitting at home waiting for the bone to heal. They are instead choosing freedom by going for a more advanced option,” he said.

According to Dr. Nambala, robotic-assisted surgery is already the standard of care for procedures like mitral valve repair and replacement. He expects that within five years, almost 90% of heart surgeries in India will be performed robotically.

He also underlined the role of forums like SMICTSI in preparing the future workforce. “These platforms are tremendously important. They prepare the next set of surgeons and also transform those who have never had exposure to robotic-assisted surgery before. This program is the first platform for robotics ever created in this country. Here, young surgeons who harbor doubts about their abilities discover the immense potential of robotics, a realization that profoundly transforms them.

India is currently experiencing a significant global shift.

For Darla Hutton, India’s story goes beyond local adoption. “India has already been a significant contributor in robotic-assisted cardiac care. Going forward, the country is expected to take a leadership role in defining standards and driving future innovation,” she said. India is currently experiencing a pivotal moment. In the next 12 months, it is expected to emerge as a global leader in robotic innovation. Surgeons from Europe, Asia, and even the US will likely come to India to learn and train in robotic-assisted cardiac care.”

Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, has already invested nearly 15 million dollars in training infrastructure across India. “Our aim is to make sure surgeons are trained in safe, standardized techniques that can be scaled widely. We are also working with hospitals to validate clinical, operational, and financial outcomes, which is key to expanding access,” Hutton added.

She also pointed to the growing body of evidence supporting robotic-assisted cardiac surgery. Globally, the past five years have produced strong peer-reviewed data on procedures such as intracardiac surgery, CABG, and revascularization. Increasingly, that data is coming from Asia and India. “We want to continue working with Indian surgeons, associations, and hospitals to strengthen that evidence base,” she said.

Lessons and opportunities for the world

Dr. Murphy emphasized the value of closely observing India's experience. “Indian surgeons are recognized for their strong technical expertise and rapid adoption of robotic-assisted surgery. They have embraced robotic-assisted cardiac procedures with enthusiasm and have built highly capable teams. These surgeons in India handle an extraordinary surgical caseload, and they adapt training programs to suit their work patterns.

He added that the Indian model shows how costs can be managed and is a wonderful example for other countries to follow suit. “Robotic-assisted surgery helps minimize complications, which in turn reduces hospital stay lengths and frees up beds for more patients. By cutting the average stay from six or seven days to just three, hospitals can double their capacity and serve more patients with the same resources.”

Dr. Murphy also noted how training in India now includes entire surgical teams that include anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and nurses… This approach emphasizes the importance of involving all surgical team members, not just lead surgeons. “This approach accelerates adoption and builds competence across the system. By integrating robotics, hospitals are able to increase efficiency, expand capacity, and address the gap in access to cardiac surgery more effectively.”

With this combination of surgical talent, high patient volumes, patient demand for faster recovery, strong training infrastructure, and ongoing innovation, India is steadily stepping into the role of a global leader in cardiac care.