General Discussion

46 to 48k deaths a year. Surgery is rare, only about 250 per year.
Rural victims don't stand much of a chance. Even in the cities, you need a heads up thoracic surgeon.
My wife lucked out. Ten minutes to emergency room and her surgeon actually teaches courses on the procedures.
Actually removed her heart to repair valve and replace 4 inches of her ascending dissected aorta that started to bleed.
They all know her at the hospital and bend over backwards to extend her care.
Timing is almost everything. Graham's time ran out.