Patrick Vargo, MD

Patrick Vargo, MD, is a cardiac (heart) and aorta surgeon in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. He sees patients at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

Specialty Interests: Aortic valve repair and replacement; bicuspid aortic valve; surgery for aortic aneurysms and dissections, including minimally invasive and endovascular (stenting) interventions; hereditary thoracic aortic disease; connective tissue disorders; Marfan syndrome; Loeyz Dietz; Ehlers Danlos; transcatheter valve interventions; re-operative cardiac surgery; coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

Experience and Outcomes: Cleveland Clinic performs more than 5,000 heart surgeries each year. All Cleveland Clinic cardiac surgeons complete between 300-400 cardiac cases per year. As one of the nation's highest-volume cardiac surgical centers, Cleveland Clinic treats highly complex and critically ill patients, performing procedures that only a handful of surgeons across the country can do. View success rates and outcomes HERE

Learn more about the Cardiovascular Surgery Department HERE.

Education: Dr. Vargo did his undergraduate work at Xavier University in Biology and Chemistry and graduated summa cum laude. He then earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed his internship and residency in cardiothoracic surgery at Cleveland Clinic and was selected as administrative chief resident in his final year of residency. He joined the Cleveland Clinic medical staff in 2019.

Research, Publication, and Speaking: Dr. Vargo has authored and co-authored scientific papers and book chapters on complex cardiac and aortic root, arch, and thoracoabdominal surgeries published in leading medical and surgical journals. Dr. Vargo’s Research focuses primarily on aortic aneurysms and dissections, and valve disease.  He also has presented clinical research findings at national meetings, and has given lectures to medical professionals worldwide. He is an active member of the Society of Thoracic Surgery and is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He also serves as the Associate Program Director for Thoracic Surgery Residency at Cleveland Clinic.

About Dr. Vargo: “I enjoy being a heart surgeon because it gives me the opportunity to help patients get through a difficult time. Heart disease can be frightening and overwhelming. It is a privilege to treat these conditions and see patients return to feeling better and living a healthy life.”

Leisure Activities: In his leisure time Dr. Vargo enjoys being outdoors, movies, baseball and spending time with his family.

Videos: To learn more about Dr. Vargo and his expertise, watch his videos HERE or those listed on HeartValveSurgery.com.