Silvia Ajello, MD

Previously, Dr. Ajello served as Head of the Coronary Intensive Care Unit at IRCCS San Raffaele, and as Divisional Lead for the Cardio-Oncology Program — roles requiring the cross-specialty oversight that defines high-complexity internal medicine. She continues to serve as Consultant Sports Doctor for AC Milan Football Club and Olympia Milano Basketball Club.

At IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, she served for many years as Head of the Coronary Intensive and Semi-Intensive Care Unit, managing major cardiovascular emergencies including acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, and high-risk acute pulmonary thromboembolism. She gained significant experience in the use of mechanical circulatory support devices, both short-term (ECMO, Impella, Impella RP, ProtekDuo) and long-term (LVAD). At the same institution, she was a cardiologist in the Advanced Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program within the Unit of General and Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, taking part in the multidisciplinary management of patients affected by the most complex forms of heart failure and candidates for advanced therapies.

During her career, she served as Divisional Coordinator for the Cardio-Oncology Program, contributing to the development of dedicated pathways for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular complications in oncology patients.

Alongside her hospital work, she has also provided clinical consultancy at the Casa di Cura La Madonnina and served as Sports Cardiology Consultant for AC Milan Football Club.

The experience gained in managing critically ill patients has allowed her to develop a 360-degree view of health and disease, consolidating a rigorous, evidence-based clinical approach oriented toward prevention, personalized care, and the promotion of healthy longevity.

Education and Credentials

• Degree in Medicine and Surgery with highest honors and academic distinction – Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (2007)
• Specialization in Cardiovascular Diseases with highest honors – Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (2014)
• Advanced training in ALS, PBLS, and MitraClip Therapy

Professional Experience and Contributions

• Cardiologist at the Unit of General and Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, directed by Prof. Alberto Zangrillo (2013–2026)
• Head of the Coronary Intensive and Semi-Intensive Care Unit – IRCCS San Raffaele
• Since 2020, cardiologist in the Advanced Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program (both short- and long-term) – Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan
• Responsible for the clinical management of critically ill patients with acute cardiovascular conditions and cardiogenic shock
• Member of a multidisciplinary Shock Team working with interventional cardiology
• Divisional Coordinator for the Cardio-Oncology Program – IRCCS San Raffaele (2013–2016)
• Since 2015, Specialist Cardiology Consultant for the Casa di Cura La Madonnina, as well as Sports Cardiology Consultant for AC Milan Football Club, the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI), and Olimpia Milano Basket
• Since November 2021, Associate Member of the Italian Sports Medicine Federation (FMSI)
• Clinical activity in the management of chronic cardiac conditions (hypertension, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, valvular disease)
• Lecturer and clinical tutor, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

Areas of Expertise

• Preventive medicine and longevity care
• Integrated and personalized approach to health
• Management of chronic and complex cardiovascular diseases
• Sports cardiology

Publications & Media

• Author of over 80 scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals
• Scientific collaborations with international research groups in the fields of: cardiogenic shock, mechanical circulatory support, ECMO, advanced heart failure, and critical care cardiology
• Publications in high-impact-factor journals (H-index 17), including JAMA, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, European Heart Journal, Circulation, and Intensive Care Medicine