Providing your location allows us to show you nearby locations and doctors.
Vassar Brothers Medical Center launches robotic cardiac surgery program: A leap forward in heart care
07/22/2025
Hudson Valley's first hospital to offer advanced robotic heart procedures, bringing faster recovery and world-class care closer to home.
Vassar Brothers Medical Center (VBMC) has launched its robotic cardiac surgery program, marking a transformative milestone in Hudson Valley healthcare. This initiative places VBMC among a select group of hospitals nationwide — and the only facility in the Hudson Valley — offering minimally invasive heart procedures using robotic technology, a move that typically promises faster recovery, reduced complications and complex surgery for patients.
Related Content: Chief of Cardiac Surgery joins Vassar Brothers Medical Center
What Is Robotic Cardiac Surgery?
Robotic cardiac surgery involves performing heart procedures through small incisions using robotic arms controlled by a surgeon at a console. These robotic systems offer 3D visualization, enhanced dexterity and millimeter-level precision, allowing surgeons to operate in tight spaces without opening the chest.
Common procedures include:
- Mitral valve repair or replacement
- Aortic valve replacement
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
- Atrial fibrillation ablation
- Closure of congenital defects (e.g., atrial septal defect)
- Removal of cardiac tumors
Learn more about structural heart disease and heart valve disease at Nuvance Health
What are the Benefits for Patients?
Robotic cardiac surgery offers several advantages over traditional open-heart surgery:
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Smaller incisions | Less scarring and trauma |
| Reduced pain | Minimal postoperative discomfort |
| Shorter hospital stays | Often 2-4 days vs. 5-7 days for open surgery |
| Faster recovery | Return to normal activities in 2-4 weeks |
| Lower infection risk | Due to reduced exposure and tissue disruption |
| Improved precision | Enhanced outcomes in complex procedures |
Patients often report higher satisfaction, quicker mobility and fewer complications such as atrial fibrillation or bleeding.
Related Content: Vassar Brothers Medical Center celebrates one-year anniversary of cardiac cath lab
Who Qualifies for Robotic Cardiac Surgery?
Not every patient is a candidate for robotic cardiac surgery. VBMC’s cardiac team conducts thorough evaluations, including:
- Echocardiograms
- CT scans
- Cardiac catheterization
Ideal candidates typically:
- Have isolated valve or coronary artery disease
- Are in otherwise good health
- Have not had prior chest surgeries (though exceptions exist)
- Do not have severe lung disease or complex anatomical challenges
The hospital’s multidisciplinary heart team — including cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists and imaging specialists — ensures each patient receives a personalized treatment plan.
Learn more about heart surgery at Nuvance Health.
What This Means for Patients
The launch of robotic cardiac surgery at Vassar Brothers Medical Center is a game-changer for the community. Here’s how patients directly benefit:
- Access to Advanced Care Locally: Residents no longer need to travel for minimally invasive cardiac procedures. Leading-edge treatment is now available right in the Poughkeepsie area.
- Faster, Less Painful Recovery: Robotic techniques regularly result in smaller incisions, reduced pain and quicker return to daily life — giving patients a smoother surgical journey.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: VBMC’s heart team carefully evaluates each case, ensuring every patient gets a tailored approach suited to their health needs.
- Reduced Risk of Complications: The precision of robotic surgery minimizes trauma, helping reduce infection and improve surgical outcomes.
- Confidence and Peace of Mind: Knowing elite cardiac care is close to home offers reassurance to patients and their families — making VBMC a trusted partner in heart health.
Related Content: Nuvance Health welcomes cardiac surgeon at Danbury Hospital
The Bottom Line:
With robotic cardiac surgery now available at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, patients gain access to renowned clinical excellence in heart care close to home. It’s a bold step toward the future — one that blends compassion, precision and innovation to heal hearts and transform lives.
Learn more about the Heart and Vascular Institute at Nuvance Health.