More specifically, according to reports from swissinfo, an investigation revealed serious ethical breaches and unexpected deaths in the cardiothoracic surgery department of the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ) between 2016 and 2020. The hospital itself confirmed these findings in an official statement.

The investigation highlights an unusually high mortality rate during this period. According to data, out of approximately 4,500 surgical procedures, there were 68 to 74 more deaths than statistically expected.

During those years, the head of the cardiothoracic surgery clinic in Zurich was Italian professor Francesco Maisano. At the center of the scandal is the so-called “Cardioband,” a heart valve repair implant manufactured by a company in which the professor reportedly held a stake and which was allegedly used improperly in 13 cases.

The use of this implant may be linked to the excess number of deaths identified in the report. The University Hospital of Zurich (USZ) has reported these incidents—particularly the deaths and improper use of the Cardioband device—to the prosecutor’s office. Investigators will examine whether criminal offences were committed.

More than 300 deaths during Maisano’s tenure were also reviewed in detail. The analysis identified 75 problematic surgeries, 64 “fairly unexpected” deaths, and 11 “unexpected” deaths.

According to the investigation, the causes point to a systemic managerial failure. The then hospital leadership, including Maisano—appointed in 2014 without sufficient review of qualifications and conflicts of interest—along with hospital administration, failed in oversight duties and reacted too late to warning signs.

How the scandal was uncovered

The current director of the University Hospital of Zurich, Monika Jänicke, thanked the whistleblower who first exposed the irregularities and initiated investigations into the cardiology department.

The whistleblower, a former cardiac surgeon who worked in the same clinic as Maisano, had repeatedly raised concerns publicly and internally, according to the hospital director in an interview published in SonntagsZeitung.

Jänicke, who took over in 2023, declined to comment on the fact that the whistleblower lost his job. She said compensation issues would be examined in the final report.

“It is still too early to speak about compensation for victims and their families, but it could become a topic,” she added.

Resignations and hospital apology

As a result of the investigation’s findings, three long-standing members of the hospital’s board of directors resigned. The USZ issued a formal apology to patients and relatives and established a dedicated support center.

“These findings have deeply affected us. The leadership failure at multiple levels is unacceptable,” said André Zemp, chairman of the USZ board, at a recent press conference.

The cardiology department has since reportedly regained its reputation under new leadership, with mortality rates returning to normal levels. Maisano was dismissed from the University Hospital of Zurich in 2020 and is now chief physician at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.