Elke Smeets

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About

Elke Smeets is a pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon whose research centers on advancing minimally invasive coronary revascularization, particularly through totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (TECAB). Her major contribution lies in demonstrating the feasibility and safety of non-robotic TECAB at scale, as evidenced by her landmark study detailing outcomes in 1,500 patients—a dataset that remains among the largest in the field. This work, which has garnered 8 citations since 2024, provides critical evidence that TECAB can achieve excellent results without the cost and complexity of robotic systems, potentially broadening access to less invasive bypass surgery. Smeets’ research addresses a key gap in the literature, where robotic TECAB has been more extensively reported, by systematically evaluating graft patency, complication rates, and long-term survival using a specialized long-shafted instrument technique. Her findings have helped establish benchmarks for non-robotic endoscopic coronary surgery, influencing surgical training and patient selection. Through this high-volume experience, Smeets has positioned herself as a leading advocate for expanding minimally invasive options in cardiac surgery, making her work essential reading for surgeons seeking to reduce recovery times and improve outcomes for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.