{"id":31802,"date":"2020-05-26T17:24:45","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T22:24:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/?p=31802"},"modified":"2025-05-08T08:34:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T13:34:58","slug":"ross-procedure-patient-runner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2020\/05\/26\/ross-procedure-patient-runner\/","title":{"rendered":"After Ross Procedure Success, Elisabeth Runs to Support Heart Disease Patients!"},"content":{"rendered":"

When courageous patients transform medical lemons into lemonade, I want you to know about it.<\/p>\n

Elisabeth Boylan is a perfect example.\u00a0 An athlete, wife and mother from Canada, Elisabeth was born with a bicuspid aortic valve<\/a>.\u00a0 Like many patients, Elisabeth knew she may need surgery in the future and was in “watchful waiting” for many years.\u00a0 That, however, did not stop Elisabeth’s passion for running.<\/p>\n

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\"Ross<\/p>\n

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Unfortunately… Elisabeth, 43, became symptomatic due to severe aortic stenosis<\/a>, a deadly form of heart disease caused by her bicuspid aortic valve.\u00a0 Elisabeth was short-of-breath, tired and even fainted one time while running.\u00a0 She needed her valve fixed.<\/p>\n

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The Ross Procedure for Elisabeth?<\/h2>\n

After Elisabeth evaluated the common options for aortic valve replacement –\u00a0 a cow valve<\/a>, a pig valve<\/a> or a mechanical valve<\/a> – Elisabeth chose the Ross Procedure.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Then, a human cadaver valve is placed in the pulmonary valve position.\u00a0 Developed in the 1960’s by Dr. Donald Ross, this operation is often called the “Switch” procedure.<\/p>\n

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\"RossRoss Procedure Diagram (aka the “Switch” Procedure)<\/p>\n

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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.\u00a0 To learn much more about the Ross Procedure, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Elisabeth Finds Dr. El-Hamamsy, A Ross Procedure Expert<\/h2>\n

As you may have already figured out from the diagram above, the Ross Procedure is very, very, very complex operation.\u00a0 For this reason, Elisabeth and John, her husband, researched many surgeons until they found Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy<\/a>, an aortic valve specialist who has performed over 400 Ross Procedures. \u00a0(So you know, that is A LOT of Ross Procedures.)<\/p>\n

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\"Dr.<\/a>Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy (Elisabeth’s Surgeon)<\/p>\n

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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.\u00a0 Going into surgery, Elisabeth asked Dr. El-Hamamsy, “When can I start training for the New York City Marathon in 2020?”\u00a0 Dr. El-Hamamsy replied, “Right away.”<\/p>\n

Elisabeth got moving right after surgery.\u00a0 “Even in the hospital, I was moving up-and-down the halls,” Elisabeth said.<\/p>\n

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Elisabeth Returns to Running<\/h2>\n

Just 90 days after her operation, Elisabeth ran the Whistler Half Marathon in 2 hours and 12 minutes.\u00a0 Three weeks later, she ran the Vancouver Scotiabank Half Marathon in 2 hours and 7 minutes.<\/p>\n

“It felt really good,” Elisabeth shared.<\/p>\n

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!!!<\/p>\n

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\u2019s sleep.”<\/p>\n

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\"Elizabeth<\/p>\n

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Help Elisabeth Support Heart Disease Patients!<\/h2>\n

Just when you thought Elisabeth’s story couldn’t get any better… It does.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Wonderful!!!!<\/p>\n

Click here to support Elisabeth and donate to the American Heart Association.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n