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Robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reduces the need for blood products, while decreasing the recovery times, according to a new study. 

"Robotically assisted CABG is a safe and feasible alternative approach to standard bypass surgery in properly selected patients. It is a less traumatic and less invasive approach than regular CABG," said cardiac surgeon and researcher Dr. Richard Cook of the University of British Columbia, in the press release. "It may reduce complications following surgery, and in the Canadian experience, has been associated with an extremely low mortality rate."

The robotically assisted bypass surgery has several advantages over traditional methods including a magnified 3D vies of the patient's heart, as well as the elimination of any kind of tremor. 

"Each year nearly 25,000 bypass surgeries are performed in Canada,; it is the most common form of surgery for people with heart disease," said Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson Dr. Beth Abramson, author of Heart Health for Canadians, in the press release. "Surgery saves lives and helps improve quality of life. The safer we can make the surgery, the more lives we can save."

She noted that bypass surgery doesn't cure the underlying heart disease. "Health behavior changes and medications as prescribed by your healthcare providers are critical to preventing further damage."

The study is being presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.