Atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove plaque from clogged arteries at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato in Milan, Italy. This treatment uses a thin catheter to clear blockages, helping restore blood flow without major surgery. The clinic is a leader in heart care, holding ISO 9001:2015 certification and serving as a top research hospital in Europe.
The cardiology team at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato performs over 3,500 interventional procedures every year. This high volume includes atherectomy, balloon angioplasty, and stenting. Doctors use a percutaneous approach, meaning they only need a small skin puncture to insert the tools. This method helps patients recover quickly, typically within 1 to 2 days. The hospital maintains 10 operating rooms equipped with advanced X-ray systems for precise imaging during the procedure.
The department is led by Dott. Francesco Bedogni, who serves as the Director of Clinical and Interventional Cardiology. He oversees the Coronary Intensive Care Unit (UTIC) at the facility. Working alongside him is Dr. Enrico Criscione, an interventional cardiologist who holds a specialized Master’s degree from the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University.
As part of the Gruppo San Donato, this hospital acts as a research center (IRCCS). This status means patients have access to the latest methods in cardiovascular medicine. The facility uses unique technology, such as telepresence robots. These robots help doctors stay in constant contact with patients throughout their stay. The clinic reports a 97% success rate for cardiac procedures, which is among the highest figures in Europe.
Patients visiting from other cities or countries can use the hotel located directly on the hospital premises. This makes the logistics of travel and recovery much easier for families. The hospital has a long history of quality care, as it was the first complex hospital in Europe to receive ISO 9001 certification back in 1998.
If you are looking for advanced heart care in Italy, you can request a consultation or leave a request on Bookimed to learn more about your treatment options.
Individual treatment program and cost estimate
Average answering time – 5 minutes
| diagnostics | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Periapical X-ray | $15 - $35 | |
| Doppler sonography (ultrasonography, duplex angioscanning) vessels | $120 - $220 |
Policlinico San Donato was founded in 1969. It is a part of Gruppo Ospedale San Donato, which accepts over 4 million patients every year.
San Donato Hospital establishes international projects for congenital heart defects treatment. Medical team of the hospital has operated more than 3,000 children around the world under these projects.
San Donato Heart Surgery Unit is No.1 in Italy because of the amount of operations performed. Since its establishment doctors have been conducting more than 50,000 interventions. Every year 17,000 patients undergo treatment here.
The Center of Cardiac Surgery employs 140 physicians: surgeons, cardiologists, arrhythmologists, anesthesiologists and radiologists.
Medical team of the center has performed:
Operation room, Clinica San Donato Milan
San Donato cardiologists specialize in endovascular operations for the treatment of heart and vessel diseases. Surgeons perform them using a thin and long catheter without skin incisions. The recovery period after such a procedure is much easier compared with open surgeries and lasts only 1-2 days.
Angioplasty is a procedure to treat narrowed or obstructed arteries of the heart. There are 2 types of angioplasty — balloon surgery and stenting.
Cardiologists perform balloon operation with a small balloon placed in the vessel to increase the amount of blood flowing through the artery. After the procedure doctors put out the balloon.
Stenting is performed with a metal or plastic tube called a stent to increase artery permeability. A stent stays in the vessels for at least 10 years.
This is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a heart valve. Usually, doctors carry out a sternotomy (chest opening) to implant a new valve, but TAVI can be done with a small puncture or incision.
Cardiologists insert a catheter with an artificial valve in a vessel. Doctors open the implant like an “umbrella” near the flaps of the old valve and fixate it there. It is an image-guided operation allowing doctors precisely to control the valve movement through the vessels.
According to the San Donato data, the Arrhythmology Department is the best in Europe to treat cardiac arrhythmia.
There are 45 hospital beds and 12 twenty-four-hour ECG monitoring devices with telemedicine in the department. ECG allows to connect patients with their physicians at any time.
3 operating rooms are equipped with modern devices including the latest X-ray systems. They produce less X-ray emission than previous models and are safer for patients.
Doctors specialize in the following procedures:
Telepresence robot, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Donato
Inpatients can stay in general or VIP wards. All rooms are equipped with TV, Internet, call buttons.
There is a hotel on the premises of the clinic, the accommodation there is paid additionally.
Individual treatment program and cost estimate
Average answering time – 5 minutes
