Prof. Claudio Rapezzi

Prof. Claudio Rapezzi is a distinguished Italian cardiologist and full professor of cardiology at the University of Bologna, where he has built one of Europe's most respected programs in cardiac amyloidosis and cardiomyopathies. For more than three decades, he has practiced and taught at the Policlinico di Bologna – IRCCS Sant'Orsola, a leading Italian research hospital (IRCCS designation reflects its status as a Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization, and Healthcare), which gives him access to cutting-edge diagnostic technology and a multidisciplinary team committed to complex cardiac cases.

Prof. Rapezzi's clinical reputation rests above all on his work with cardiac amyloidosis—a condition in which abnormal proteins (amyloid fibrils) deposit in the heart muscle, causing progressive stiffening and heart failure. At a time when this disease was frequently misdiagnosed or undetected, Prof. Rapezzi developed systematic phenotyping approaches that have transformed how cardiologists worldwide recognize and categorize cardiac amyloidosis subtypes, particularly transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).

Beyond amyloidosis, he maintains a broad cardiological practice encompassing all forms of cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, and advanced heart failure. His integrated approach combines state-of-the-art imaging—echocardiography and cardiac MRI—with invasive diagnostics such as endomyocardial biopsy to establish precise diagnoses before committing patients to therapy. He participates in TAVI programs for high-risk valvular patients, working alongside interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in structured heart team meetings.

Colleagues and patients alike describe Prof. Rapezzi as a clinician who combines intellectual rigor with genuine empathy. He regularly sees international patients referred by cardiologists across Europe and beyond who seek a second opinion or specialized evaluation for complex or rare cardiac conditions.

Prof. Rapezzi completed his medical degree (MD) and subsequently his PhD in cardiovascular sciences at the University of Bologna, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities. His cardiology residency and fellowship training were undertaken at Sant'Orsola, where he was mentored by leading figures in Italian academic cardiology. He obtained the FESC (Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology) credential, reflecting peer recognition of his scientific contributions at the European level, and holds FACC (Fellow of the American College of Cardiology) status, underscoring his international standing. Over his career he has completed observational and collaborative research stints at major European centers, contributing to multinational registries in amyloidosis and heart failure. He has held visiting professorships and lectured extensively at international symposia on cardiomyopathies.

Prof. Rapezzi's primary clinical focus is the full spectrum of cardiomyopathies, with particular depth in cardiac amyloidosis (both ATTR and AL subtypes), dilated cardiomyopathy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He performs and interprets advanced echocardiography—including strain imaging and three-dimensional echocardiography—as well as cardiac MRI with gadolinium late enhancement, which are essential for tissue characterization in myocardial disease. Endomyocardial biopsy, a technically demanding procedure requiring careful patient selection and procedural expertise, is a core part of his diagnostic toolkit for definitive tissue diagnosis of infiltrative and inflammatory cardiac conditions.

In valvular heart disease, Prof. Rapezzi participates in the evaluation of candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and works within the hospital's structural heart disease team. His heart failure practice includes managing patients with advanced systolic and diastolic dysfunction, optimizing guideline-directed medical therapy, and coordinating care with transplant and mechanical circulatory support programs. He is also experienced in long-term monitoring strategies for patients on novel ATTR-targeting therapies such as tafamidis.

Prof. Rapezzi is internationally recognized as a pioneer in cardiac amyloidosis research. His landmark studies on phenotypic classification of cardiac amyloidosis were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) and became foundational references in the field. He contributed to subgroup analyses of the ATTR-ACT trial—the pivotal study establishing tafamidis as a disease-modifying therapy for ATTR-CM—and has led European registry efforts to document the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of cardiac amyloidosis. With over 300 peer-reviewed publications appearing in JACC, the New England Journal of Medicine, Circulation, and the European Heart Journal, he ranks among Italy's most cited cardiologists. His current research interests include early diagnosis of ATTR-CM using nuclear scintigraphy, biomarker development, and the application of artificial intelligence to echocardiographic screening.

Prof. Rapezzi conducts consultations in both Italian and English, making his expertise accessible to patients from across Europe and internationally. The Policlinico di Bologna – IRCCS Sant'Orsola has established pathways for international patients, with support for medical record translation, pre-visit communication, and coordination of diagnostic workups. Patients traveling from EU countries can typically access care under the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) framework; those from non-EU countries are accommodated on a private basis with transparent cost information provided in advance. Video consultations are available for initial case review, second opinions, and follow-up discussions, which is particularly useful for patients who have been evaluated locally and are seeking expert guidance on diagnosis or treatment planning for complex cardiac conditions such as amyloidosis or rare cardiomyopathies.

Prof. Rapezzi has been honored with fellowship status by both the European Society of Cardiology (FESC) and the American College of Cardiology (FACC), recognizing his sustained contributions to cardiovascular science. The Società Italiana di Cardiologia awarded him its Gold Medal—the society's highest distinction—in recognition of his lifetime contribution to Italian cardiology and his role in elevating Italy's profile in international cardiovascular research. He has served on scientific program committees for the ESC Heart Failure Congress and the ATTR-CM symposia, and is regularly invited as a plenary speaker at major cardiology meetings in Europe, North America, and Asia. He has served on editorial boards of leading cardiology journals and as a reviewer for grant applications from the Italian Ministry of Health and European research bodies.