A Montana man is preparing to return to family traditions following emergency life-saving heart surgery, according to a September 23 report. Ed Waddell, 53, of Park City, Montana, underwent a five-hour procedure to repair an ascending aortic dissection in February.
The medical emergency occurred after Waddell felt a sensation in his chest that he described as feeling like his heart had exploded. Upon arrival at the emergency department at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital, tests including a CT imaging and an electrocardiogram revealed the aortic dissection.
Dr. Scott Needham, a cardiothoracic surgeon, performed the surgery to repair and rebuild the damaged section of the aorta. Dr. Needham stated that Waddell had an undiagnosed aortic aneurysm that caused the dissection, which started where the aorta joins the heart and extended to the pelvis.
Waddell's recovery included cardiac rehabilitation and working toward walking physical milestones. He returned to work on June 15 and completed a backpacking trip to Huckleberry Lake in the Beartooth Mountains in late August.
Delaina Hooks, a physician assistant on the cardiothoracic surgery team, noted the significance of Waddell being discharged from the hospital on day five given the risks associated with an aortic dissection.
Waddell is now looking forward to the Montana elk season opening on Oct. 24. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to walk into the mountains with his sons, noting that he was told only about 50 percent of people make it to the hospital and 50 percent survive the surgery.
