Massimo Chessa

Prof. Massimo Chessa is the Head of the Pediatric Cardiology and Hemodynamics Center and the Adult Congenital Heart Center at IRCCS Policlinico San Donato and an Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. He is also the designated President of the Italian Society of Pediatric Cardiology (2025-2027).

Professor Chessa graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore) in Rome, Italy, where subsequently specialized in Pediatrics. He received the second specialization in Cardiology at the University of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano). Between 1997 and 2000, received a Ph.D. in Fetal and Pediatric Cardiology in collaboration program between Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Children’s Hospital of Birmingham, UK.

In addition, professor Chessa collaborated with the Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, while completing a degree in Pediatric Cardiology from the Université René Descartes in Paris, France. He has also collaborated with the Ospedale Pediatrico Apuano in Massa and was a visiting fellow at the Heart Hospital of London.

As the first operator, he performs over 300 cardiac catheterization procedures per year, with a special focus on the treatment of congenital heart defects. At the Policlinico San Donato Research Hospital professor Chessa manages the Transition Clinic, the first program in Italy concentrated on follow-up of the patients with congenital heart defects during the transition from adolescent to adult state.

Professor Chessa's scientific papers have been published in national and international journals such as International Journal of Cardiology, European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, European Heart Journal, Interactive Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery, Journal of Thoracic Imaging, Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, PLoS One, EuroIntervention e Artificial Organs.

Professor Chessa is a Liason Officer of the Grown Up Congenital Heart Disease study group of the European Society of Pediatric Cardiology (AEPC); Regional Advisor to the Italian Society of Cardiology (SIC); Course Director for the International Meeting on Adult with Congenital Heart Defect (IMAC); member of the scientific committee of the International Workshop on Interventional Pediatric Cardiology at the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions U.S.A. (FSCAI); member of the scientific committee of the Adult Congenital Disorders study group of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).