Lifesaving Heart Care Creates a 'Bond That's Never Left Us'
Cancer treatment created scarring that damaged Stanley Ollek's heart and blood vessels. The Virtua cardiac team never gave up on restoring his health.
Walking into Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, chances are that Stanley Ollek will know many of the doctors, nurses, technicians, and rehab therapists. That’s because over the past 20 years of appointments and procedures, Stanley has formed deep relationships with the staff whom he credits with saving his life.
“I’m here because of them. They’re not only brilliant, but you also get to know them as human beings,” said Stanley, an accountant from Collingswood.
Cancer Treatment Triggers Vascular Scarring
Stanley’s journey began in early 2006 when he was diagnosed with lymphoma. Six months of chemotherapy followed by high doses of radiation successfully treated his tumor but caused extensive tissue scarring in his chest.
“The scar tissue caused my main artery to become filled, and I started passing out. My cardiac surgeon said I had a ‘widow-maker’ and I needed bypass surgery,” Stanley said. “When they opened my chest, I coded blue. They said I didn’t breathe for six minutes. In the critical care unit, I really got to know the staff, and it was a bond that’s never left us.”
Scar tissue continued to accumulate in Stanley’s blood vessels, and he needed additional stents to keep his blood flowing properly.
“I couldn’t go from my bathroom to my bed without shortness of breath. It was getting worse with each week that went by,” said Stanley, who helped to helm Collingswood’s annual holiday parade and served on the school board. “They scheduled another surgery to straighten out my blockages. But when they opened me up, they found I had too much scar tissue to continue.”
A Trusted Interventional Cardiologist: 'There's Nobody Like Him'
Virtua interventional cardiologist Ibrahim Moussa, DO, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI, however, did not give up on Stanley. With a bypass no longer an option, Dr. Moussa found a pathway to deploy three stents and restore Stanley’s blood flow, improving his breathing and energy levels.
Radiation scarring had also caused Stanley’s aortic valve to narrow. So, in January 2024, Dr. Moussa performed a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to improve blood flow from his heart to the rest of his body. A few months later, Dr. Moussa used a laser to cut through the scar tissue in Stanley’s artery and inserted a special balloon coated with medication that keeps the vessel open.
“Scar tissue causes the stents to kink and break, which then causes more scar tissue to form,” said Dr. Moussa. With TAVR and the new drug-coated balloon, “Mr. Ollek has benefitted from the evolution of the medical field and the cutting-edge care we provide.”
“Dr. Moussa, there’s nobody like him. He’s somebody I’m blessed to be with. He and the team of people at Virtua—some of whom I met back in 2006—have busted their butts to keep me alive,” said Stanley. “I will do whatever I can for the rest of my life to honor them.”
Dr. Moussa says it may seem like he’s “the maestro orchestrating the show,” but everyone plays a role in providing outstanding care.
“Mr. Ollek trusts us with his health,” said Dr. Moussa. “He’s a full participant in his care team and is always receptive to our recommendations, knowing that we have his best interests in mind.”
Check Your Heart Health
Are you at risk for heart disease? Click here to take our short heart health assessment. You’ll receive a personalized report and recommendations to connect to care. To make an appointment with a Virtua cardiologist, call 888-847-8823.
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