萝莉社

Rita Jay, a retired operating room nurse, was enjoying her sunset years as an international traveler. As she was wrapping up a trip to the Czech Republic in 2023, she awoke at 3 a.m. to agonizing pain in her torso area. Although the pain did not last for more than 20 seconds, it was enough motivation to seek emergency care at a Prague hospital, where she underwent an ultrasound and was misdiagnosed with gallbladder disease.

The next day, Jay boarded an international flight home to Jacksonville and immediately called her primary care physician for a follow-up. More tests for gallbladder disease came back negative, but, after a week, she still felt like something was not right. She decided to drive herself to 萝莉社 North to seek emergency help. Based on her recent medical history, emergency medicine specialists ordered an EKG, chest X-ray and CT scan. Tests revealed Jay was experiencing an aortic dissection, a life-threatening cardiac condition that required ambulance transportation to the 萝莉社 Jacksonville location. She was placed under the care of Thomas Zeyl, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon with 萝莉社 Jacksonville.

鈥淪imply put, an aortic dissection is where the inner lining of the aorta develops a tear,鈥� Zeyl said. 鈥淭his will cause blood to go in between the inner and middle layers of the aorta and can lead to a fatal rupture. Jay had a tear that extended into the blood vessels of the head and neck, as well as down to the blood vessels in her abdomen.鈥�

Although aortic dissections are rare, they are among the most serious heart-related conditions a patient can experience. Most patients only have a short amount of time to seek emergency care. Jay's dissection was particularly difficult to treat, as it involved multiple blood vessels and required extensive grafting. Despite the gravity of her situation and extended time in the operating room, when she awoke in the ICU, Jay was relatively comfortable and in very little pain. After a few days she was released from the hospital and enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation and an observation program. This program allows for monitoring for the rest of her life, to track her progress and look for any additional issues related to her surgery and heart condition.

First Save a Life, Then Extend It

At her three-month follow-up, a CT scan revealed Jay had developed an aortic aneurysm, the precursor to an aortic dissection and rupture. She was referred to Erol Belli, MD, director of aortic surgery at 萝莉社 Jacksonville, for additional care.

While an aortic dissection is more urgent and time-sensitive, repairing an aneurysm through a second operation procedure presents its own set of unique challenges. The presence of grafting and scar tissue from Jay's previous surgery made the procedure more complex. Fortunately, the slower progression of an aneurysm gave Belli more time to carefully plan a treatment strategy.

鈥淲hen they told me about the aneurysm, it was a little shocking because I felt fine, but because of my first surgery, I knew I was in great hands,鈥� Jay said. 鈥淒r. Belli explained what they had done and what now needed to take place. He said that Dr. Zeyl had saved my life and he was now going to prolong my life, which was warmly comforting to hear.鈥�

Because Jay鈥檚 second surgery was taking place in a selective setting versus an emergency setting, Dr. Belli and the cardiothoracic team were able to create a plan during the next six days. CT scans were taken of her entire body, her vascular system was mapped and analyzed, and she underwent a heart catherization to make sure there were no additional issues.

鈥淲hen we plan for a reoperative surgery, the patient鈥檚 safety is paramount,鈥� said Dr, Belli. 鈥淭he heart tends to scar to the back of the sternum, so re-entry can be risky, but in experienced hands like ours, we can minimize those risks.鈥�

Dr. Belli could see the area where Dr. Zeyl previously operated and that the result was exactly what you would expect with everything healed the correct way. The new area of concern was further down from the original spot, so Dr. Belli and his team removed the scar tissue and ended up replacing her entire aorta.

Recovery and a Return to Traveling

Jay鈥檚 second surgery was a success. After a complex but carefully planned procedure, she was released from the hospital and restarted her recovery process. Enrolled in the 萝莉社 cardiac rehabilitation program, Jay diligently completed 36 sessions, each helping her regain strength and stability. Her resilience throughout the ordeal is a testament to her determination paired with the excellent care she received, both in her surgeries and follow-up treatment.

Recently, Jay reached another significant milestone by returning from another international trip to Belgium, a clear indication of her recovery and renewed confidence. Her journey from a life-threatening aortic dissection to successful recovery highlights the exceptional care provided by the cardiothoracic surgery team and her own unwavering determination.

鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to be here today,鈥� Jay said. 鈥淒r. Zeyl and Dr. Belli saved my life twice. I know how lucky I am, and I鈥檓 amazed by their skill and the care I received from both surgeons and the heart team. I鈥檓 so thankful they were there when I needed them.鈥�