Alex Clark

Alex Clark never thought a normal day would turn into a life-or-death situation. Living with Marfan syndrome—a genetic disorder that weakens connective tissue—he had already been through multiple surgeries. But when sharp, unbearable abdominal pain struck, he and his life partner, Karen, had no idea how serious things would get.

Marfan syndrome can range from mild to severe, but when it affects the aorta—the major artery carrying blood from the heart—it becomes a ticking time bomb. Many people with the condition need preventive surgery. At just 8 years old, Alex had already undergone a mechanical aortic valve replacement and an ascending aortic graft replacement.

Now 34, Alex and Karen live in rural Arkansas. When his pain became too much to bear, Karen rushed him to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed him with an aortic dissection and an aortic aneurysm. After a week in the hospital, he was discharged, but his pain worsened, and a fever set in. Another hospital visit confirmed his worst fear—his aneurysm was growing and symptomatic (i.e. potentially bleeding). His life was now at serious risk.

The hospitals in Arkansas weren’t equipped to handle the complex procedure he needed. Unsure of where to turn, Alex considered various top-ranking healthcare organizations. That’s when his business partner, Doug, stepped in. Doug’s father had undergone heart surgery with Dr. Hazim J. Safi, a renowned cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center. Doug urged Alex to seek Dr. Safi’s care.

Initially, Alex planned to travel to Houston on December 30, but his situation worsened too quickly. With his life hanging in the balance, he was transported via air ambulance and admitted to HCA Houston Medical Center on December 21. He spent nearly two weeks in intensive care, stabilizing and preparing for surgery.

His biggest fear wasn’t dying, it was paralysis. Dr. Safi, an expert in Marfan syndrome and aortic repair, explained the reality, “With this surgery, the risk for spinal cord ischemia paralysis (in the 1980s) was 33-45 percent. When we replace the aorta, blood flow is temporarily cut off, which puts pressure on the spinal cord.” However, Dr. Safi used a technique he developed in the early '90s, with cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) drainage and distal aortic perfusion to minimize the risk of extent II thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) and reduce the chance of paralysis to as low as 4%.

On January 2, Dr. Safi and a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team performed the intricate surgery. Through a left thoracoabdominal approach, they replaced Alex’s descending thoracoabdominal aorta, aortic aneurysm, and type B dissection, a surgery that very few centers and surgeons are trained to perform. His entire aorta—from chest to pelvis—was replaced with a Dacron graft, carefully attaching intercostal arteries to ensure blood flow. It was one of the most complex procedures in cardiovascular surgery, and his doctors called his recovery nothing short of a miracle.

Determined to get back on his feet, Alex worked hard in physical and occupational therapy. Looking back on his experience, he said, “Dr. Safi checked on me every single day before and after surgery. I can’t thank him and the entire team of surgeons, physicians, and nurses enough. They are truly miracle workers, and I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Now back home in Arkansas, Alex continues to recover, gradually getting back into daily life. His journey is a testament to the power of expert medical care, personal resilience, and the unwavering support of loved ones in times of crisis.