A Knife to the Heart: Recollections From the Blunt End of the Scalpel
About this ebook
From humble beginnings in Tuscany, his childhood dream of becoming an airline pilot was dashed by a congenital eye defect, which redirected him towards a career in medicine. Guided by his family’s modest background, this decision took him across continents and through some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in modern healthcare.
His steadfast leadership during the Bristol Babies Scandal reflected his deep commitment to patients and clinical excellence.
This memoir is more than a chronicle of surgical milestones; it is a compelling collection of true stories, revealing the emotional and psychological realities of life as a surgeon. Honest, reflective and inspiring, it explores both mistakes and triumphs, offering rare insight into the human side of surgery.
A Knife to the Heart reminds us that behind every mask lies a person with dreams, fears and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.
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About the author
Professor Gianni Angelini was appointed to the British Heart Foundation Chair of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Bristol in 1992. His pioneering work has advanced cardiac surgery worldwide. In 2005, his team was named the UK ‘Surgical Team of the Year’, and from 2010 to 2016, he served as Head of Cardiac Surgery at Imperial College London. Elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2011, Professor Angelini received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Coronary Artery Surgery.
