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After Ross Procedure Success, Elisabeth Runs to Support Heart Disease Patients!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: Mary 26, 2020

When courageous patients transform medical lemons into lemonade, I want you to know about it.

Elisabeth Boylan is a perfect example. An athlete, wife and mother from Canada, Elisabeth was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. Like many patients, Elisabeth knew she may need surgery in the future and was in "watchful waiting" for many years. That, however, did not stop Elisabeth's passion for running.

Ross Procedure Patient Recovery from Hospital Bed to Running

Unfortunately... Elisabeth, 43, became symptomatic due to severe aortic stenosis, a deadly form of heart disease caused by her bicuspid aortic valve. Elisabeth was short-of-breath, tired and even fainted one time while running. She needed her valve fixed.

The Ross Procedure for Elisabeth?

After Elisabeth evaluated the common options for aortic valve replacement - a cow valve, a pig valve or a mechanical valve - Elisabeth chose the Ross Procedure. The Ross Procedure is a unique form of aortic valve replacement in which the patient's pulmonary valve is switched into the diseased aortic valve position. Then, a human cadaver valve is placed in the pulmonary valve position. Developed in the 1960's by Dr. Donald Ross, this operation is often called the "Switch" procedure.

Ross Procedure Diagram (aka the "Switch" Procedure)

Select benefits of the Ross Procedure include (i) no need for anti-coagulants (warfarin, Coumadin), (ii) a potential lifelong fix and (iii) the potential use of a noninvasive, transcatheter procedure should re-operation be required. To learn much more about the Ross Procedure, click here.

Elisabeth Finds Dr. El-Hamamsy, A Ross Procedure Expert

As you may have already figured out from the diagram above, the Ross Procedure is very, very, very complex operation. For this reason, Elisabeth and John, her husband, researched many surgeons until they found Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy, an aortic valve specialist who has performed over 400 Ross Procedures. (So you know, that is A LOT of Ross Procedures.)

Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy (Elisabeth's Surgeon)

A runner as well... Dr. El-Hamamsy, who relocated his practice from Montreal Heart Institute to The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City after Elisabeth's operation, readied her for a quick return to the sport she loves. Going into surgery, Elisabeth asked Dr. El-Hamamsy, "When can I start training for the New York City Marathon in 2020?" Dr. El-Hamamsy replied, "Right away."

Elisabeth got moving right after surgery. "Even in the hospital, I was moving up-and-down the halls," Elisabeth said.

Elisabeth Returns to Running

Just 90 days after her operation, Elisabeth ran the Whistler Half Marathon in 2 hours and 12 minutes. Three weeks later, she ran the Vancouver Scotiabank Half Marathon in 2 hours and 7 minutes.

"It felt really good," Elisabeth shared.

Now, Elisabeth is preparing to run the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1 as a member of the American Heart Association's Team Heart & Stroke. Go Elisabeth!!!

When reflecting on the success of her recovery, Elisabeth offers patients the following advice, "Walk as much as you can, eat fresh healthy food - slowly, surround yourself with good people and get a good night's sleep."

Elizabeth Boylan - Ross Procedure Success Story

Help Elisabeth Support Heart Disease Patients!

Just when you thought Elisabeth's story couldn't get any better... It does.

In an effort to raise awareness to heart disease, its research, its management and its treatment, Elisabeth set a personal goal to raise $4,000 for the American Heart Association in connection with her New York City Marathon training. Wonderful!!!!

Click here to support Elisabeth and donate to the American Heart Association.

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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