Specialized Heart Surgery Close to Home
Judi Brown led an active, peaceful life on the family ranch in Los Olivos, where daily walks with her dog were part of her routine. Though she had been living with a small aortic aneurysm, Judi felt strong and healthy. With no symptoms to suggest otherwise, her cardiologist, Dr. Jason Boyatt, monitored it closely through regular check-ups and imaging.
“I wasn’t experiencing any symptoms,” Judi recalls. “No shortness of breath, no fatigue. I felt fine.” But during one of those routine visits, everything changed. Dr. Boyatt explained to Judi that the aneurysm had grown past 5 centimeters, critical enough to repair. Without delay, he referred her to Dr. Michael Paulsen at the Cottage Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Clinic.
An aortic aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the wall of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest. It forms when part of the artery wall weakens. If it grows too large, it can rupture or dissect, which can quickly become life-threatening.
From that moment, everything moved quickly. “I hadn’t even made it home yet from my appointment when I got a call from Dr. Paulsen’s office to schedule a consultation,” Judi says. She and her husband were immediately impressed when they met Dr. Paulsen. “He was so caring and informative. I had no idea what any of this meant until he took the time to explain it all. He told me I needed surgery.”
Two weeks after her initial consultation, Judi underwent open-heart surgery at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where Dr. Paulsen performed a specialized valve-sparing procedure, repairing her aortic root while preserving her native aortic valve. This highly specialized approach is not only more complex, but it also allowed Judi to avoid a valve replacement and the lifelong use of blood thinners.
“The care I received was outstanding,” Judi shares. “From the nurses to the entire staff, everyone was above and beyond what I could have hoped for.”
While recovery from major heart surgery is never easy, Judi was up and walking the very next day. After being discharged from the hospital, she continued building her strength through cardiac rehab and slowly returning to her walking routine.
What stood out most to Judi and her husband was the exceptional care delivered by the entire heart team. From the very first phone call to her final day in the hospital, every member of the team made a lasting impression.
“Everyone we encountered was compassionate, skilled and so attentive,” Judi says. “They went above and beyond to make sure I felt safe and supported.”
Dr. Paulsen’s dedication also left a meaningful impact. He followed up directly, took time to review her results, and checked in throughout her recovery. “He’s just an incredibly caring surgeon,” Judi says. “I don’t think I’d be here without him. I’m so grateful.”
Today, Judi and her husband have complete confidence in Cottage Health. “As far as we’re concerned, the heart team at Cottage is the best you’ll find anywhere. If you must go through something like this, there’s no better place.”
