Our Story

Fondazione Ricerca e Innovazione Cardiovascolare was funded in Lodi, December 15th, 2020.

Fondazione was born, as it often happens to innovative concepts, from an informal coffee meeting in May 2020. On that occasion, one of its founding members, Bernardo Cortese, Cardiologist in Milan, had an outburst in front of the future members Roberto Galvagno and Gianni Manetta.

“Is it possible that all the attention of our country is focused on Covid, and we forget that this year, more than in the past, cardiovascular diseases are claiming so many victims?” the question arose, spontaneously. Indeed, the first available data already showed an increase in cardiovascular deaths “due to forgetfulness.” But Covid was only the tip of the iceberg.

An historical decision

The three Founding Members mentioned above, supported by additional 25 Co-Funders, made a decision at that time that was, in our humble opinion, historical, namely to establish a modern, streamlined and efficient Foundation to support no profit research in the cardiovascular fields. Specifically, the aims of Fondazione R.I.C. are to support the most innovative technologies and techniques in order to be able to better treat cardiovascular frail and sick patients, starting with the strands of research undertaken by Dr. Cortese, including the use of drug-coated balloons instead of metallic prostheses (stents) and modern and safer operating techniques. The research and experiments that form the background of Fondazione RIC can be found here: https://www.bernardocortese.com/

These are the questions we asked ourselves at Fondazione R.I.C.:

• Are there treatment protocols that can be tailored to all patients?
• Can we reduce the risk of bleeding inherent to the implantation of common stents, or their occlusion in the medium-to-long term?
• Can we avoid full-metal-jacket of the coronary arteries by reducing the extent and number of implanted stents?
• Can we expand the availability and treatment options of patients with valvulopathies to increasingly less invasive techniques that allow a faster recovery?
• Will we be able to treat patients with peripheral atherosclerotic disease less invasively?
• How can we better follow up patients with Heart Failure, even remotely, by reducing the number of scheduled visits and Emergency Room access?
• Can we improve the interaction between Universities and Research Institutions to optimize processes, treatment protocols, and research in the Cardiovascular field?
• Can we better, and more effectively, educate the general population regarding cardiovascular disease and its burden?
• Can we psychologically support patients with severe cardiovascular disease, such as with the help of Music Therapy?
• How can we efficiently fight the Opioids Pandemic that is burdening our countries?

Our Founders