Robotics, AI and Precision Medicine Are Shaping the Future of Heart and Lung Care in Cleveland

From the nation's first robotic lung transplant to wearable heart monitors, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals experts share what's next for cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine.

by Christina Rufo | Aug. 6, 2026 | 5:00 AM

Technology continues to play a big role in healthcare. One of the latest examples is a robotic lung transplant that took place at Cleveland Clinic. | Courtesy Cleveland Clinic

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Robotics

Cleveland Clinic, with Dr. Gregory Jones, recently performed the first U.S. robotic lung transplant, a breakthrough in the pulmonary field after four decades with relatively few changes to the procedure. “We’re able to see everything in three dimensions with enhanced dexterity and a greater range of motion. For patients, that means less pain, less disruption to the chest wall and breathing mechanics and ideally a smoother recovery,” says Jones, a thoracic surgeon in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Cleveland Clinic. As preservation technology improves, Dr. Yasir Abu-Omar, chief of cardiac surgery at University Hospitals, believes drones could potentially become a routine part of organ transportation, expanding access for patients in need. Many physicians say widespread adoption will require careful oversight, but see it as an inevitable next step in transplant medicine.

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Artificial Intelligence & Predictive Care

By rapidly analyzing X-rays, CT scans and electrocardiograms, artificial intelligence can identify patterns and abnormalities that might be difficult for the human eye to detect. While the technology can process vast amounts of data in seconds, Dr. Yasir Abu-Omar says human judgment remains essential for interpreting results in the context of an individual patient. As AI continues to evolve, experts expect it to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency while helping physicians identify high-risk patients earlier. That could lead to more personalized treatment plans, better timing for interventions such as transplants and improved outcomes overall. “AI has this amazing ability to do things at an incredible magnitude in minimal time,” says Dr. Gregory Jones.

Precision Medicine

Personalized medicine is increasingly being driven by wearable technology that allows doctors to monitor patients in real time rather than relying on office visits. Devices such as wearable heart monitors can detect rhythm abnormalities that might be missed during a routine exam. “We’re moving toward a future where treatments are tailored to the individual patient,” says Dr. Yasir Abu-Omar. “Whether it’s gene therapy, biotechnology or bioengineering, there’s no question that’s the direction medicine is headed.” This steady stream of individualized data is helping physicians make more precise diagnoses and treatment decisions. Jones says the overarching goal for the future is to diagnose and treat patients sooner through and reduce the number of transplants needed.

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Christina Rufo

Christina is a passionate reporter on Cleveland's culture and dining scene, compiling Cleveland Magazine's monthly dining guide. A graduate of West Virginia University's journalism school and the New York University Publishing Institute, her work celebrates the people, plates and parties that make Northeast Ohio shine.