Favaloro

Favaloro is a surname of Italian origin that is found among people in Italy and in Argentina and other countries with Italian immigrant communities. The name is associated with a number of individuals across different fields, but it is best known for its connection to the medical legacy of Argentina.

René Favaloro (1923–2000) was an Argentine cardiac surgeon who pioneered the modern coronary bypass operation. In 1967 he performed a landmark bypass procedure using a saphenous vein graft, a advancement that helped establish coronary artery bypass surgery as a standard treatment for severe heart disease. After his pioneering work, Favaloro returned to Argentina and founded the Fundación Favaloro to promote medical education, clinical care, and cardiovascular research. The foundation supports medical facilities and educational initiatives in Argentina and is associated with a university named in his honor in Buenos Aires, dedicated to health sciences education.

Today, the Favaloro name is linked to institutions and initiatives that honor René Favaloro’s contributions to medicine, particularly in Argentina. The surname remains a marker of a medical and educational legacy that extends beyond a single individual, reflecting the impact of Favaloro’s work on cardiovascular surgery and medical education.