Robert Arrigo, MD

Robert Arrigo, MD, is a UW Health anesthesiologist and assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Arrigo provides anesthesia care for patients during and after heart and lung procedures.

As a cardiac anesthesiologist, Dr. Arrigo is part of a highly skilled medical team that cares for adults who are seriously ill from heart and lung disease. He provides individualized anesthesia during surgical procedures and monitors patients during and after heart and lung surgeries, including transplants. 

Dr. Arrigo also cares for people on mechanical life support such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, more commonly referred to as ECMO (a pump that circulates blood and oxygen when a person’s heart and lungs are not able to do so on their own).

Dr. Arrigo believes it is a privilege to take care of people and he is constantly fascinated by the strength of his patients. In addition to his clinical and faculty work, he researches ways to improve medical education using modern computer technology.

Helping people who are very sick with heart and lung disease gain additional time with their friends and family — especially outside of the hospital — is deeply satisfying.