Integrative Advances in Cardiothoracic Technology: Additive Manufacturing, Robotic-Assisted Operations, and Intelligent Mechanical Heart Systems

Next-generation cardiothoracic surgery is being redefined by three major technological domains: three-dimensional (3D) printing, robotic-assisted procedures, and artificial heart systems, each contributing uniquely to surgical planning, operative precision, and long-term physiological support. This review synthesizes evidence from twenty primary scientific studies and five academic books published between 2005 and 2025, examining the current state, clinical impact, and limitations of these technologies across diverse healthcare settings. Results show that 3D printing enhances preoperative visualization and promotes more accurate decision-making, robotic-assisted surgery improves dexterity and reduces invasiveness in complex procedures, and artificial heart technologies—particularly magnetically levitated LVADs and evolving total artificial heart designs—offer essential support for patients with advanced heart failure. The analysis also reveals substantial barriers to implementation, including high costs, steep learning curves, and limited availability, especially in middle-income countries. These findings underscore the need for strategic, region-specific adoption models supported by specialized training and institutional investment. Future directions include AI-driven planning, cost-reduction initiatives, biohybrid artificial heart development, and multicenter evaluations of long-term outcomes. Collectively, this evidence highlights an evolving ecosystem in which engineering, computational modeling, and surgical expertise converge to redefine the future of cardiothoracic care.