Barbara Bush has open-heart surgery

HOUSTON (AP) — Former first lady Barbara Bush underwent successful open-heart surgery Wednesday to replace her aortic valve, a family spokesman said.

The surgery at The Methodist Hospital lasted about 21‚Ñ2 hours and was scheduled last week after Bush experienced shortness of breath, spokesman Jim McGrath said.

He said doctors determined the aortic valve had started to harden.

Dr. Gerald Lawrie, a heart surgeon at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, replaced the valve with a biologic valve, the hospital said in a statement.

“I expect her to recover fully and soon resume her normal activities,” Lawrie said.

Former President George H.W. Bush was at the hospital with his wife, who was resting comfortably in the intensive care unit.

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