Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Bristol, BS6 6UT
Franco Ciulli is one of the most experienced Adult Cardiac Surgeons in the UK. He is the head of Cardiac Surgery at the Bristol Heart Institute and has performed over 5000 open heart procedures since being appointed as a Consultant in 1996. Mr Ciulli's practise is based in the South West of England for both Private and NHS patients. As one of the most senior surgeons in the UK, Mr. Ciulli has a vast experience in high risk and complex cases with better than 98% survival after open heart surgery. He specialises in minimally invasive cardiac surgery in adult patients, beating heart surgery, coronary artery bypass and aortic valve surgery. He also has a specialist interest in mitral valve repair and arrhythmia surgery.
After completing his medical degree, Mr Ciulli undertook further in training in Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Verona in Italy. In 1990, he moved to the UK and worked as a Cardiothoracic Registrar on the Glasgow Rotation and a Heart and Lung Transplant Registrar at Papworth Hospital. Following this, he undertook a Transplant Fellowship at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and was entered onto the Specialist Register for Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery in 1996.
Mr. Ciulli's first Consultant position was in Sheffield in 1995 where he went on to lead the team performing the first Heart- Lung Transplant and double lung transplant 1997. Mr Ciulli moved to Bristol in 1999 to take up the position of Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Bristol Heart Institute (part of the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust), where he held positions of Clinical Director, Clinical Governance Lead and is now Clinical Lead for the adult Cardiac Surgery Unit. Mr. Ciulli performs a wide variety of open heart and minimally invasive heart operations in his daily practice. Coronary artery bypasses (MIDCAB), Aortic valve replacements and Mitral and Tricuspid valve repairs which continue to be a field of Reseach and innovation. He has been instrumental in bringing modern mitral valve repair techniques to the Bristol Heart Institute and Spire Hospital Bristol.
Mr Ciulli has an active interest in clinical research and had this work published in a number of peer-reviewed journals and in the text book Moghissi's Essentials of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery which he also co-edited.
He has trained many established cardiac surgeon in the UK and coming from abroad including Italy, Australia and USA. Mr. Ciulli has performed the first minimally invasive mitral valve replacement in 1997 at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield where he also lead the teams performing the first heart-lung and double lung transplants in that centre.
Mr. Ciulli has introduced minimally invasive techniques such as MIDCAB (Minimal Incision Direct Coronary Artery Bypass), Minimally Invasive Mitral valve surgery and Aortic Valve Surgery. He regularly performs Beating heart Coronary artery bypass surgery (also known as off pump OPCAB). He has also introduced minimally invasive surgical ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation with greater than 75% conversion rate to sinus rhythm using a hybrid approach (Convergent).
Franco Ciulli is an adult cardiac surgeon who has a wealth of experience in all areas of adult cardiac conditions. He has worked in the most prestigious international centres such as Papworth Hospital where he performed Heart and Lung Transplantation at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney where he was performing Double Lung Transplantation, Heart Lung Transplantation as well as conventional open heart surgery.
Mr. Ciulli is often asked for a second opinion regarding high risk and complex cases which other surgeons may be more reluctant to accept for surgery. He often consults with patient from overseas who seek advice in the UK and operates overseas by invitation.
Diseases, Medical Tests and TreatmentsBased on patient reviews & endorsements by other professionals
General Medical Council
No. 3433690
All locations
0 %
0 %
0 %
0 %
0 %
*Star rating based on patient reviews
8 reviews
5
Excellent. I was very nervous before the procedure and Dr Ciulli and his team gave me the confidence to approach the procedure with a positive mindset. Dr Ciulli gave me the time i needed to discuss the procedure and ask any questions I had.
5
I was very anxious when I was referred for Coronary bypass grafting to Mr Franco Ciulli. It was quite a terrifying moment however Mr Ciulli called me personally and explained about minimally invasive cardiac surgery(LIMA to LAD graft). It was so soothing and relaxing to my mind that my whole apprehension was gone. I regained my confidence based on explanation by My Ciulli. My surgery happened and to count his words I was discharged to home in just 5 days postoperatively. Obviously, I was very satisfied patient and I will always be obliged to the care and personal touch he offered to me. His whole team is very good. I would certainly encourage people to go for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. My experience is is way above my expectation. Thank you very much Mr Ciulli and your whole team. Best wishes.
5
Unfortunately I haven't much in the way of hospital stays to compare my experience with. compare my with. However what I can state with certainty is, Mr Ciulli has kept me informed at every stage of the procedure. He has been both pleasant and professional.
5
Mr Cuilli was attentive, helpful and always ready to take a call from you
5
Dr.Ciulli was very straightforward as to what had to be done & explained the pros & cons accordingly without faffing about & was very clear in explaining the process that he was going to perform on me on the day .
5
I'm a fit 50 year old male who recently underwent Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair Surgery, performed by Mr Ciulli and his team at the Bristol Heart Institute. The surgery went extremely well and I am now about 10 weeks post surgery and feeling great. I'm back to light morning yoga, and light cycling. I cannot say enough about Mr Ciulli and the excellent service I received throughout the whole process, including the post-surgery followups. Mr Ciulli is very personable and instills confidence right from the start. He is very patient went to great lengths to explain the process and answer all my questions. As soon as I met Mr Ciulli, I felt at ease and knew I was in great hands. I feel extremely fortunate to have had him as my surgeon, and can't thank him and his team enough, for giving me a new lease on life.
Thank you for taking the time to write the review.
5
My experience with Mr Ciulli was outstanding at every level both in medical terms and in the holistic caring and understanding way he supported me and my family. The support was amazi g from initial consultations, clarity of advice and options. Explanations of outcomes and what to expect. I trusted him totally and was and am overwhelmed by the fantastic care I was given in surgical and support terms. I and my family thank God we were fortunate enough to have Mr Ciulli as our consultant surgeon.
I truly appreciate your kind comments. Thank you.
5
I am in awe at the levels of knowledge, understanding and skill shown by Franco Ciuilli throughout the period of my open heart surgery. His manner is reassuring, always positive and supportive of those working with him. As such he motivates all those around him to give of their best - resulting in high quality outcomes for all. His understanding of the workings of the heart and how different people can react to differing situations as a result of major surgery is outstanding. He has shown himself to be a professional surgeon and leader of the very highest quality. Thank you.
I am very grateful for your review
Have you worked with this specialist?
5 endorsements
I have great pleasure in recommending my colleague Mr. Franco Ciulli, cardiothoracic surgeon at the Bristol Heart Institute. I have known and worked with Franco over 17 years and he is a nationally recognised heart surgeon who particularly specialises in cardiac valve surgery. Mr. Ciulli has always been most helpful when an expert opinion is required for cardiac surgery, especially in complex patients with multiple medical problems. He takes great pride in his work both in the NHS and privately, making the effort in certain cases to visit patients and family at their bedside to offer his opinion and to take an informed decision with patient and family. He is an extremely competent surgeon with excellent cardiac surgically outcomes. He has the most pleasant bedside manners and puts his patients at ease. I have known this from personal feedbacks that I have had from patients whom I have referred to Franco. I strongly recommend Mr. Ciulli, a senior cardiac surgeon for his surgical skills and outcome for coronary by pass surgery and/or cardiac valve surgery. I have no hesitation in saying if I needed cardiac surgery he will be my first choice.
Dr Jacob Easaw
It is my absolute pleasure to recommend Mr Ciulli to my patients. He has expertise in all aspects of cardiac surgery and currently is the lead surgeon at the Bristol Heart Institute. Over the last few years, I have referred him several patients requiring cardiac surgery, all of whom had an excellent outcome. He has particular expertise in coronary artery disease requiring coronary artery bypass surgery and valvular heart disease needing valve replacement. Of note, he has performed Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB), as well as mitral valve interventions on several of my patients with good outcomes. He is an excellent clinician, who is well liked by patients and colleagues alike.
Dr Nikhil Joshi
I have worked with Mr Cuilli at the Bristol Heart Institute and Spire Hospitals for over 10 years. During that time, I have referred him many patients for a range of procedures including Coronary Bypass Grafting, Valve replacement and AF surgery. Mr Cuilli regularly provides the emergency surgical backup for my high-risk cases. Patient results and feedback have always been exemplary. Future patients will find Mr Cuilli an extremely personable, charming surgeon who will quickly put them at ease and deliver timely treatment with excellent outcomes. No hesitation in providing high recommendation.
Mr Cuilli is an excellent colleague and cardiac surgeon. He has a wealth of experience in a vast array of cardiac surgical techniques and operations, including minimally invasive heart surgery. His operative techniques mean he treats patients with coronary and valvular heart disease, including those that are high-risk or complex.
Dr Kalpa De Silva
What are Mr Franco Ciulli's reviews like?
Mr Franco Ciulli's overall patient rating is 5 out of 5 stars on Doctify. This is based on 8 reviews
What languages does Mr Franco Ciulli speak?
Mr Franco Ciulli speaks English, French and Italian
Where is Mr Franco Ciulli located?
Mr Franco Ciulli primarily practices at Spire Bristol Hospital, located at Redland Hill Durdham Down, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS6 6UT
See more locations
Does Mr Franco Ciulli accept new patients?
Mr Franco Ciulli generally accepts new patients.
Get in touch with this specialist to enquire as a new patient