Pauline Lyons
Complex Aortic Surgery: One Patient's Story
In spring of 2004, two years after surgery for aortic dissection, Pauline Lyons, 72, of New Hampshire presented to her primary care physician with chest pain. She was hospitalized in New Hampshire at a cardiac surgery center, then transferred to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) to gain access to BIDMC’s expertise in complex, high-risk aortic surgery.
At BIDMC, imaging showed two new aortic dissections with dilation and hemorrhage. Despite the risks, Lyons chose to undergo a second procedure that involved major aortic reconstruction, including valve replacement and re-implantation of the cephalic vessels.
She now says, “The nurses were wonderful. The surgeon was fantastic – he explained everything to me and my whole family. One week after surgery I could walk and went home. Now, I feel very well and am managing quite well at home with my husband.”
