WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. John Boozman’s emergency heart surgery was done to repair a tear in his aorta, his staff members announced Wednesday.
The 63-year-old Rogers Republican underwent hours-long surgery at Mercy Hospital in Rogers on Tuesday after being diagnosed with an acute aortic dissection. The senator is in stable condition and is resting at the hospital, his spokesman Patrick Creamer said.
An aortic dissection is when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the large blood vessel branching off the heart, according to the Mayo Clinic. Blood surges through this tear into the middle layer of the aorta, causing the inner and middle layers to separate or dissect. If the blood-filled channel ruptures through the outside aortic wall, it can be fatal, according to the clinic.
The condition is uncommon and occurs most frequently in men between ages 60 and 70. The chances of survival increase greatly if it is caught and treated quickly, according to the clinic.
Some media outlets, including CNN, reported Tuesday that the senator had an aortic aneurysm, which according to the Mayo Clinic is a bulge in a part of the aorta that could burst.
Boozman was taken to the hospital early Tuesday morning by his wife, Cathy, after suffering pain in his chest and shoulder. He was alert, responsive and in good spirits during the trip to the hospital despite the pain, according to a release.
After running several tests, doctors diagnosed Boozman and admitted him for immediate surgery.
“They didn’t really give him a choice once they found out what it was,” Creamer said.
The surgeons who performed the operation said Boozman responded well to the surgery, according to a statement from the Boozman family.
Boozman will remain hospitalized while doctors monitor his recovery, Creamer said. There is not a timeline for when he may be released.
He is awake, and doctors are pleased with the progress he has made.
“He’s been responsive, and the family has been in to see him,” Creamer said.
Boozman and his wife have three daughters.
The statement from members of the Boozman family said they appreciate the prayers and the well-wishing.
“Our number one priority is making sure John makes a full recovery. We are grateful for the excellent care the doctors, nurses and medical staff are providing. They are amazed at how well he has responded and we are anxious for him to begin the next phase of recovery,” it stated. “We know that if John had it his way he would be right back on the road in Arkansas, so the difficult part will be making sure he gets the rest he needs to get better.”
Boozman was scheduled to attend several events in north-central Arkansas on Tuesday, Wednesday and today, which have been canceled, Creamer said.
The U.S. House and Senate are in the middle of a two-week break, and members return Monday.
Staff members of the U.S. Senate parliamentarian’s office said no Senate rule requires senators to give up their seats or take formal leaves of absence if they have to be away from Washington for an extended period of time.
While some committees allow senators to vote by proxy without being present, a senator has to physically be in the chamber to cast a vote when items are before the full body. Senators also have to be present to file legislation.
Boozman is the state’s second Republican U.S. senator since Reconstruction. He defeated U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, a Democrat, in 2010 to secure the seat. Boozman was elected to the House in 2001 in a special election.
Boozman, an optometrist, previously helped run an eye clinic in Rogers with his brother.
According to media reports, an aortic dissection ended the life of actor John Ritter in 2003 and also caused the death of former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke in 2010.
Arkansas, Pages 9 on 04/24/2014