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I remembered years earlier standing at a bedside in cardiac ICU, holding the hand of a survivor of an aortic dissection. I knew he had come close to death. His name was Richard too.
And I thought, as I have many times, of how important it is to detect aortic disease earlier, before it becomes life threatening. It is not always so difficult, as is sometimes implied, to find it before an emergency happens. True, not everything is known. But with what is known today, if risk factors and warning signs are heeded, technology can be used to find aortic disease in the chest. The information on this center's website, Risk Stratification: Is My Aneurysm at Risk of Rupture , especially number 2 under risk assessment, describes the implications of milder symptoms in those with aneurysms.
I wondered if there were any warning signs before the crisis in this case. So I searched online for medical clues about Richard Holbrooke prior to December 10th, and this is what I found from April of that same year:
From Reuters, U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke to have heart treatment .
From The Voice in the Ear Stent Blog, by Burt Cohen, an article explaining Richard Holbrooke's angriogram. It mentions that no significant problem was found with the arteries of his heart, and he was cleared for overseas travel.
From Politico.com, Holbrooke cleared to travel . It ends with the words "good news on the Holbrooke health front." It was good news on the arteries of his heart - but that is not the only reason there can be something wrong in the chest. I found no public record of any further searching for a problem.
Just 8 months later, on Friday, December 10th, Richard Holbrooke, while at work at the State Department, became ill. He was, in fact, suddenly in very serious trouble.
From ABC, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke Hospitalized . This article mentions being treated by medical personnel at the State Department before going to George Washington University Hospital for a blood clot. Blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) is one reason for symptoms in the chest. There is no mention of any thought of his aorta at this point.
At the hospital the tearing of his aorta was found, and many articles describe what followed - the first long surgery, his critical condition, another surgery, and his death on Monday, December 13th.
I wish I could write about a different outcome for Richard Holbrooke - that finding the arteries of his heart were normal, tests were then scheduled to look at his aorta. Testing revealed an aneurysm, his blood pressure was strictly controlled with medicine, and he was scheduled for aortic surgery. Out of the hospital in a few days, recovering over perhaps a few months, and then a return to full activity. This is the outcome that others have been fortunate to have. I know some of them, because the Foundation had a role in their search for information and help.
Each year since 2005, the Bicuspid Aortic Foundation has chosen September as a special month - a time to raise awareness and bring attention to the aorta in the chest. We do so again this year. Why? Quite simply, thoracic aortic disease (TAD) is a killer. Despite efforts to estimate how many die from it, no one knows exactly how many there are. It should not be allowed to kill anyone.
Please help us, in September and every month, every day of the year, share information about thoracic aortic disease with others.
It could save their lives.
And if something is just "not right" in your chest, and doctors say it is not your heart, seek out someone with the expertise to check your aorta.
It could save your own life.
Arlys Velebir
President and Chairman
Bicuspid Aortic Foundation
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