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Artificial intelligence for vascular minimally invasive surgery: techniques, clinical integration, and challenges

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Introduction: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), including endovascular and robot-assisted procedures, is widely used for vascular pathologies but remains limited by technical complexity, cognitive workload, and postoperative complications. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may help address these challenges through predictive analysis, decision support, image analysis, and automation. Methods: A structured Google Scholar search was conducted from February 21, 2025, to January 1, 2026, and updated through September 2026. Peer-reviewed studies applying AI to vascular MIS were included, with additional targeted searches addressing clinical translation, deployment, regulation, and ethical considerations. Results: Thirty primary studies were analyzed, including eight on machine learning, nine on deep learning, four on natural language processing, and nine on robotics or reinforcement learning. Machine learning supported risk stratification and outcome prediction, deep learning enabled imaging and segmentation applications, natural language processing facilitated clinical information extraction, and robotic systems supported navigation and procedural assistance. Discussion: AI demonstrates substantial potential across the vascular MIS pathway, but broader clinical adoption requires stronger validation, prospective multicenter studies, standardized reporting, health-economic evaluation, and careful consideration of regulatory, liability, and accessibility challenges.

Source: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2026.1966224