For years, Francesco Maisano was presented as the future of cardiac medicine—a “hybrid” surgeon who could navigate the delicate boundary between traditional open-heart surgery and minimally invasive catheter interventions. When he arrived at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ), he was tasked with a singular mission: restore the institution’s international prestige and propel it back to the vanguard of medical innovation.
But the luster of the “golden boy” faded as a pattern of systemic failure and ethical lapses emerged. A comprehensive investigation has since painted a portrait of a leader whose drive for prestige and financial gain may have come at a devastating cost to his patients. The findings suggest a clinic culture that prioritized experimental technology over patient safety, leading to a spike in avoidable deaths.
Today, Maisano has returned to his native Italy, where he has landed softly. Despite the gravity of the accusations in Switzerland, he continues to serve as a clinic director and professor at the renowned San Raffaele hospital in Milan. He is once again the face of innovation, operating on high-profile figures and maintaining ties with the medical industry—all while remaining silent in the face of the findings from Zurich.
The Rapid Ascent and the ‘Hybrid’ Promise
Maisano’s philosophy was forged early in his career, influenced by his mentor Ottavio Alfieri. He championed the belief that the future of heart surgery lay in less invasive procedures, describing himself to the Swiss media as a “cardiologist with a knife.” This versatility made him an irresistible candidate for USZ, which sought to reclaim the glory it held in the 1960s and 70s.
His appointment was characterized by “record speed.” In October 2013, Maisano joined USZ as a senior physician. within just three months, he had been fast-tracked to the dual role of clinic director and professor. This expedited process, according to investigators, bypassed critical scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest.
While USZ promoted him as an international pioneer, an external evaluator at the time of his hiring had noted that Maisano had “excellent (perhaps too much in some aspects) relations with the industry.” This proved prophetic. During his tenure in Zurich, Maisano held consulting contracts with 13 different companies and held financial stakes in 10 others, earning approximately $120,000 annually in side income—a fact known to the hospital leadership.
Innovation vs. Patient Safety: The Cardioband Case
The most striking example of this tension was the use of the “Cardioband,” an experimental implant designed to treat leaking heart valves via catheter. Maisano was not only a proponent of the device but a co-developer with financial interests in the manufacturer. In 2016, when an American corporation acquired the company for $340 million, Maisano profited significantly.
The clinical results, however, told a different story. Of the 43 patients who received a Cardioband under Maisano’s leadership at USZ, investigators found that only three experienced durable success. In six cases, the use of the implant was deemed clearly inappropriate. In one televised operation from 2017, Maisano was seen reacting with visible disappointment when the device failed to close a leak, stating, “Not decent,” and “I am not so enthusiastic.”
The fallout extended beyond a single device. Investigators concluded that Maisano fostered a culture of “excessive boldness,” encouraging his team to attempt complex, unnecessary techniques they were not qualified to perform. The result was a sharp increase in mortality rates in 2017, with 23 patients dying directly on the operating table. In total, the report estimates an excess mortality of 68 to 74 people attributable to poor clinic management.
| Period | Key Event/Finding | Impact/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-2014 | Rapid Appointment | Promoted to Director and Professor within 3 months. |
| 2017 | Mortality Spike | 23 on-table deaths; 68-74 total avoidable deaths cited. |
| 2019-2020 | Whistleblower Action | Dr. André Plass reports severe misconduct to authorities. |
| Feb 2021 | Departure from USZ | Employment terminated following internal and media probes. |
| 2024 | Italian Return | Director at San Raffaele; member of Aosta Valley Ethics Commission. |
The Slow-Motion Collapse
The end of Maisano’s tenure in Zurich was not immediate but a gradual erosion of trust. By 2019, hospital directors attempted to move him into a specialized “Institute for Innovation” to replace him as clinic head, but Maisano resisted the move. The situation reached a breaking point in December 2019, when whistleblower André Plass, a senior physician, submitted a list of grave allegations to the hospital administration and the government.
When the scandal broke in the media in May 2020, Maisano shifted into a defensive posture. In a 132-page statement, he dismissed the allegations as an “unfounded construct” intended to damage his reputation. He characterized the backlash as a “criminalization of innovation,” arguing that he was a visionary being targeted by an “old guard” of surgeons who feared technological disruption.
Despite these claims, the investigation revealed that Maisano spent roughly one-third of his working hours away from the clinic, focusing on international conferences and self-promotion while the quality of care at his facility deteriorated.
A Soft Landing in Italy
While his reputation in Switzerland was shattered, Maisano’s return to Italy has been remarkably seamless. At the Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan, part of the San Donato private healthcare group, he has resumed his role as a high-profile surgeon and professor. He continues to be featured in promotional materials, and his clinic boasts of performing over 1,200 procedures annually using the very minimally invasive techniques that sparked controversy in Zurich.
Perhaps most controversially, Maisano was appointed as a member of a regional ethics commission in the Aosta Valley last year. When questioned about his suitability for a role overseeing medical ethics, local authorities stated they were “aware of the matter” and would conduct the necessary clarifications.
In recent interviews, Maisano has claimed a shift in priority, stating he no longer wishes to focus on “new trends and devices” but rather on “the safety and efficacy of interventions.” However, his professional ties to the industry remain; as of 2024, he is linked to eight medical companies through consultancy or equity.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. The allegations mentioned are based on investigative reports from the University Hospital Zurich.
The next critical checkpoint for the case remains the official response from the Aosta Valley regional authorities regarding Maisano’s position on the ethics commission, as well as any potential legal filings stemming from the USZ investigation’s findings on avoidable deaths.
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