Heart Surgeon Dr. Ciro Amodio Joins UHealth–University of Miami Health System
Dr. Amodio brings advanced aortic care to South Florida.
Ciro Amodio, M.D., has built his career taking on the most challenging cardiothoracic surgery cases—the ones often deemed inoperable by others—and finding innovative ways to achieve successful outcomes.
He trained at Europe’s premier, high-volume cardiac centers in Bologna, Utrecht and London, and most recently was at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where he trained under renowned cardiac surgeon, Dr. Eric Roselli. These centers all serve as referral hubs for complex pathologies.
Now, Dr. Amodio brings that same skill and determination to UHealth–University of Miami Health System and the Miller School of Medicine, which he has joined as an associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery.
Dr. Amodio’s expertise spans complex aortic, thoracoabdominal and endovascular surgeries on the aorta, as well as highly challenging reoperative heart surgeries and adult congenital cases. He notes that there is a significant need for advanced aortic procedures in Florida. In fact, many of the patients he treated at the Cleveland Clinic were traveling from Florida.
Now, those patients can receive this specialized care closer to home. At UHealth, he joins an innovative heart surgery and cardiovascular team that has a proven track record of pioneering treatments, advancing research and delivering world-class care to patients with complex heart conditions.
We spoke with Dr. Amodio about what drew him to Miami and his vision for advancing cardiothoracic care.
Tell us about your approach to aortic surgery?
The aorta is the main vessel that carries blood from the heart throughout the body and diseases of the aorta represent some of the most life-threatening conditions in medicine. Aortic aneurysms and dissections are often silent until they become emergencies and, once complications occur, mortality is exceedingly high, if treatment is not immediate.
My work begins with treating aortic root aneurysms, which can threaten both the aorta and the aortic valve. Whenever possible, I focus on repair rather than replacement. Valve-sparing root procedures allow patients to preserve their own valve, avoiding prosthetic implants and significantly improving long-term outcomes. I also perform Ross procedures, which use the patient’s pulmonary valve to replace the diseased aortic valve, offering excellent durability and restoring near-normal life expectancy.
Beyond the root, I specialize in aortic arch surgery, one of the most technically demanding areas of cardiothoracic surgery. These operations require meticulous strategies to protect the brain and other vital organs during periods when circulation must be interrupted. I also manage thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic disease, frequently in collaboration with vascular surgery colleagues, since these procedures often extend into regions where multiple organ systems are at risk.
Minimally invasive and endovascular approaches are an increasingly important part of my practice. Procedures such as thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) allow us to place stent grafts inside the aorta through small incisions, reducing recovery time, complications and the physical burden of surgery, especially for patients who may not tolerate open procedures.
The burden of aortic disease is immense, both in terms of lives lost and the impact on families and health systems. By combining open and endovascular strategies and focusing on durable repairs, we are now able to transform conditions once considered uniformly fatal into survivable and often curable diseases.
How did you become interested in cardiothoracic surgery?
My grandfather needed bypass surgery and had a successful operation with a very good surgeon. I remember him explaining the procedure, and that created this passion. I started learning about the heart, and I got passionate about the aorta.
I ended up in Bologna, where they do mostly aortic cases, and you could be the provider that wasn’t going to say no to a person who was actually rejected many other times. You balance the risks of mortality, but you aren’t scared of facing complex situations. You are honest with the family and say, ‘We can try to give them a chance,’ and you have the expertise to be confident in facing these kinds of cases.
What are your thoughts and impressions about practicing here in South Florida?
I feel very connected to Miami’s Latino community. Being Italian, I value the strong family bonds and involvement I see here. It is very similar to my own culture. At UHealth, the infrastructure and team are exceptional, from the ICU to step-down units, making it possible to deliver world-class care for these highly complex cases.
What are the current trends in cardiothoracic surgery?
We are moving toward more advanced endovascular techniques, including treatment of the aortic arch and even the ascending aorta with stenting. I also focus on hybrid procedures such as the frozen elephant trunk, which combines open surgery with endovascular repair of the arch and descending thoracic aorta in a single operation.
Equally important are valve-sparing and Ross procedures, which preserve the patient’s own valve and help ensure life expectancy after surgery is comparable to that of the general population, without the need for repeated interventions.
I remain active internationally, attending meetings and maintaining close relationships with colleagues in Europe and the U.S. Cardiothoracic surgery is a highly specialized field and collaboration across borders is essential to advancing care.
You’ve worked all over the world, and you’re coming from the Cleveland Clinic. What excites you about coming to UHealth?
I am passionate about teaching and mentorship. One of my residents recently stayed in the O.R. with me until midnight, even though he was not on call, because he recognized the rarity of the operation we were performing. I take pride in guiding trainees through every detail, sharing drawings and explanations, and fostering the curiosity that defines a great surgeon.
Being part of an academic medical center with a strong residency program allows me to contribute to the development of the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons while advancing UHealth’s reputation as a leader in complex aortic surgery.
How do you decompress outside the operating room, especially now that you’re in Miami?
Living in Miami allows me to reconnect with the sea, which has always been part of my life growing up in Naples, Italy. I enjoy running along the ocean, swimming, snorkeling and boating. I also love fishing, exploring the Florida Keys and the Everglades and discovering new restaurants. Miami’s culinary scene is outstanding.
Tags: aortic stenosis, aortic valve replacement, cardiothoracic surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dr. Ciro Amodio, Newsroom