When he was just five years old, Ahmad Hussein underwent an aortic valve substitution, known as the Ross Procedure. But Ahmad’s young age was not the only standout component of his operation in Abu Dhabi. What was so incredible about the beginning of Ahmad’s cardiac journey is the fact his operation was performed by Donald Ross, the inventor and namesake of this unique approach to heart surgery.
For three decades, Ahmad’s new valve served him well. He had a relatively normal childhood, eventually moving to Canada where he married a wonderful woman who he went on to have two beautiful children with. However, right around his 35th birthday, Ahmad became increasingly tired while trying to keep up with his busy toddlers. Even answering the phone at his desk job caused him to experience shortness of breath.
“My condition completely put my life on hold,” Ahmad says. “I was so uncomfortable all the time. Any type of activity was a battle. Even something as simple as going up the stairs. It put a lot of stress on my family and me.”
To try and get to the bottom of this sudden and lasting fatigue, Ahmad’s family doctor sent him for an echocardiogram. The test revealed his pulmonary valve was extremely narrowed and his aortic valve was leaking. After feeling completely deflated by his inability to connect with a physician who had the capacity to take on his case in an expedited manner, Ahmad was eventually put in the care of Dr. Sarah Blissett, a London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) cardiologist who specializes in treating adults with congenital heart disease.
“I can’t put into words how I feel about what Dr. Blissett did for my family and me, except to say she is an angel,” Ahmad explains. “She knew my life had been put on pause for so long, already. She was such an amazing, caring advocate. Even during the pandemic, she was always there to answer my questions and calm my anxieties.”
Tests confirmed Ahmad desperately needed heart surgery. Without this intervention, there was too much at risk – not the least of which was being the active father his kids had come to count on. Dr. Blissett referred him to senior cardiac surgeon, Dr. Guo, who performed the open-heart surgery, finally taking Ahmad’s life off hold. Fortunately, there were no complications, and the surgical team was able to replace Ahmad’s pulmonary valve and repair his aortic valve to prevent further leakage.
Ahmad’s care team referred to the operation as a complete redo of the Ross Procedure he underwent 30 years prior. This exacting, highly specialized technique means rather than revisiting the surgical table in 5 – 10 years, as with conventional valve surgery, the born-again fitness fanatic will continue hitting the treadmill for many decades to come.
“The main reason I want to share my story is gratitude,” says Ahmad. “Dr. Blissett and her colleagues made all the difference. We truly have the best cardiology team in the region, and that’s something worth feeling good about.”
Ahmad continues to be seen by Dr. Blissett for follow-up care, but just six months after his surgery, he feels like a completely new man. Now, having at last caught his breath, Ahmad is able to keep up with his little ones, indulging in all the things he was never able to fully appreciate before.
If you want to support a hospital that puts patients at the heart of everything it does, consider making a gift to cardiac care at LHSC. Your generosity empowers world-class care practitioners to save and improve more lives.
Have a memorable health care story at LHSC? We want to hear from you! If you have a wellness journey you’d like to share, please contact LHSF’s marketing team at LHSFComm@lhsc.on.ca.