SUMMARY
Elizabeth H. Stephens, M.D., Ph.D., is a congenital cardiac surgeon who studies the biomechanics of heart valves. Her current research concentrates on improving the care of children and adults with congenital heart disease through clinical outcomes research. Topics include aspects of valve disease, such as patients undergoing the Fontan procedure, as well as vascular rings and slings, and adult congenital heart disease and operations.
For her research, Dr. Stephens uses databases housed at Mayo Clinic and larger multi-institution databases, such as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database.
Focus areas
- Valve pathology in patients with a single ventricle. Patients with a single ventricle frequently experience atrioventricular valve failure that can lead to end-stage heart failure. It remains undetermined as to when to intervene on the valve and the different valve approaches, such as repair versus replacement, as well as when to proceed to transplant.
- Optimizing outcomes in patients with adult congenital heart surgery. Adults living with congenital heart disease frequently require multiple operations throughout their lives. Strategies to optimize their perioperative and long-term outcomes, including determining the threshold for surgical intervention and refining techniques to optimize perioperative success, remain understudied. Furthermore, research is needed to discern which of these patients would be better served by a referral for heart transplantation.
- Vascular rings and slings. Vascular rings and slings are increasingly being diagnosed due to changes in fetal ultrasound and increased prevalence of cross-sectional imaging for other reasons. However, the optimal timing for repair in those with a fetal diagnosis remains unknown. Also, it's unclear which patients with a vascular sling would be best served by surgical intervention.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Stephens' research projects aim to improve the lives of patients living with heart disease present at birth. This research guides when surgery is right and optimizes surgical results.
Professional highlights
- Associate editor, World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, 2022-present.
- Feature editor, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 2022-present.
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons:
- Vice chair, Workforce on Congenital Heart Surgery, 2023-2026.
- Congenital chair, Program Planning Committee, 2023-2024.
- Chair, Clinical Practice Guidelines on Neonatal and Infant Coarctation, 2022-2024.
- President's Award for Best Abstract, 2023.
- Co-chair, Tetralogy of Fallot webinar, World University for Pediatric and Cardiac Heart Surgery, 2020.
- President, Thoracic Surgery Residents Association, 2016.
- Winner, Top Gun Competition (national coronary anastomosis competition), 2016.
- Rice Bioengineering Outstanding Thesis Award, 2011.
- Hertz Fellowship (top 10-12 science graduate students nationally), Hertz Foundation, 2006-2009.