An Unusual Recovery following Aortic Valve Surgery

Abstract

This case report describes the extraordinary recovery of Father Ronald Pytel from valvular cardiac disease. Father Pytel had developed severe left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure from aortic valvular disease. Following aortic valve replacement surgery, his condition did not improve. Following a healing Mass on the Feast Day of Blessed Faustina Kowalska and through her intercession, he demonstrated a complete recovery. The doctors of the Sacred Congregation for the Cause of Saints voted that the sudden change from a severely damaged left ventricle of the heart to a normal functioning left ventricle cannot be explained by natural medical science. This case was used in the process of Saint Faustina's canonization.