Maria Frigerio, MD, born February 7th, 1956. Medicine and surgery graduation in 1979, post-graduate specialty in
Cardiology in 1982. Current position: Director, Heart Failure & Cardiac Transplant Unit, Dept. of
Cardiology, Niguarda-Ca’ Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Experience of 19 years in the field of heart failure and transplantation, including selection and
follow-up of patients with mechanical assist devices and telecardiology services for heart failure
patients.  Society affiliations and charges: ANMCO (Associazione Nazionale Medici Cardiologi
Ospedalieri, Italy), where served as chairperson of the heart failure area for two years; ISHLT
(International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation), currently member of the task force for
writing guidelines regarding immunosuppression in heart transplantation; NITp (Nord Italia
Transplant, Italy), where served as member of the board of Directors and as coordinator of the Heart
Transplant Working Group. Currently member of the board for audit of Italian heart transplant
centers on behalf of the National Transplant C enter (Centro Nazionale Trapianti, CNT).  

Luigi Martinelli, MD, born August 17th, 1949. Medicine and Surgery graduation in 1974, post-graduate specialty in
general surgery (1979), cardiac surgery (1982), thoracic surgery (1988). Current position: Director,
Cardiac Surgery, Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support, Niguarda Ca’ Granda
Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Qualifications: Heart Transplantation (DM 11/11/85) Heart and Lung Transplantation (DM 2/5/88).
Societery charges: ANMCO (Associazione Nazionale Medici Cardiologi Ospedalieri, Italy):
Chairman for Surgical Area (2006-present); ISHLT (International Society for Heart and Lung
Transplantation): Board of Directors (2001-2004); SICCH (Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery):
president of the north-west area (2004-2006). Institutional Charges: Advisor for Cardiac Surgery -
National Health Council. Teaching experience: School of General Surgery – University of Pavia
(1992-2000); School of Cardiac Surgery - University of Genoa (2001 – present); School of Cardiac
Surgery – University of Pavia (2006-present).

Andrea Garascia, MD, born March 14, 1965. Medicine and Surgery graduation in 1991, post-graduate specialty in sport
medicine (1997), cardiology (2006). Current position: Attending cardiologist, heart failure and
cardiac transplant unit, Niguarda-Ca’ Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy (since June 2000). Experience
in the field of intensive care of cardiac and cardiac surgery patients (attending at the post-cardiac
surgery intensive care unit, Niguarda-Ca’ Granda Hospital, 1995-1999), advanced heart failure,
heart transplantation, including care of the patients with ventricular assist devices and
telecardiology services. Moreover, experience in heart catheterization and pulmonary
hemodynamics and in cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Co-investigator in clinical trials in heart
transplantation and heart failure patients.