Ex-Black Caps star Chris Cairns in 'serious but stable' condition after cardiovascular surgery in Sydney
Former Black Caps cricket star Chris Cairns remains in a “serious but stable” condition in a Sydney hospital on Thursday, after undergoing cardiovascular surgery.
A spokesperson for St Vincent’s Hospital, where Cairns underwent surgery after suffering a major medical event in Canberra, told Stuff his condition remained unchanged on Thursday morning.
Cairns, 51, experienced an aortic dissection in his heart last week – a serious condition in which a tear occurs in the inner layer of the body’s main artery (aorta). His wife, Melanie, described it as a “difficult, upsetting and concerning situation.”
Cairns was transferred from Canberra to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney on Tuesday night.
“As has now been widely reported in the media, Chris suffered a major medical event in Canberra late last week,” Melanie Cairns said in a statement on Wednesday.
“He initially underwent surgery in Canberra but the seriousness of his condition is such that he has now been transferred to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, where he has undergone further cardiovascular surgery.
“Chris’ family and friends are heartened by the respectful and warm manner in which this terrible news has been reported, and received by the public, both in New Zealand and around the world, and thanks everyone for their warm wishes, prayers, and kind words.
“For now, no further statements will be made regarding Chris’ situation, and the Cairns family asks that people continue to respect their privacy as they deal with this difficult, upsetting and concerning situation.”
Cairns’ transfer means his mother, Sue Wilson, is unable to get to his bedside due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, the NZ Herald reported.
Wilson is in Canberra, with Sydney currently under strict Covid-19 restrictions as it continues to deal with the latest outbreak in the community.
Cairns, the son of former New Zealand cricketing all-rounder Lance Cairns, played 62 test matches and 215 one-day internationals for his country between 1989 and 2006.
Lance Cairns respectfully declined to comment on Wednesday.
Support flows in
Cairns’ longtime Black Caps and Canterbury team-mate, Chris Harris, told Stuff he was stunned by the news. The pair played cricket together for about 30 years from their childhood days in Christchurch.
It had been a couple of years since he had last spoken to Cairns.
“It is absolutely devastating. It is the worst news you could possibly get. Absolutely devastated. Obviously it is compounded even further when his family can't be with him because he is in Sydney. It is devastating,” Harris said.
“We grew up together and played all our cricket together, so I have got fond memories of Chris. It is absolutely devastating.”
Brendon McCullum also signalled his support for Cairns.
McCullum joined the Black Caps in the early 2000s when Cairns was a senior figure and regarded as one of the finest all-rounders in the game.
Their relationship broke down after McCullum testified against his former team-mate in the 2015 perjury trial in London, during which Cairns was found not guilty of charges relating to alleged match-fixing.
But McCullum put their differences aside on Wednesday to show his support for Cairns and his family.
“It is a difficult subject to obviously talk about. We have not seen each other for quite a long time,” the former Black Caps skipper said on his SENZ Breakfast show.
“We have been reflecting on just how fine a cricketer he was when the news came through and what he did for the game and New Zealand cricket throughout his career as well. Our relationship is unimportant in the whole thing, the fact is that Chris is a father and also a son to Lance and Sue. They have already had such tragedy in their life with the loss of Chris' sister a long time ago as well.
“It is a really difficult time for those people and I know the cricket community and all those who support the Cairns family will be suffering right now. Today my family and myself are thinking of those people who are suffering.”
New Zealand Cricket said in a statement on Twitter on Wednesday: “We’re deeply concerned to hear of Chris Cairns' medical emergency. Our thoughts are with his family in Australia and here in NZ. Chris is a much loved husband, father, and son – and remains one of our finest allrounders. We hope he's able to make a full recovery.”
McCullum was one of a number of former team-mates, rivals and pundits to pay tribute to the Kiwi great, including ex-Black Cap Andre Adams and former Indian star VVS Laxman.
Thoughts and prayers are with Chris and his family,” Adams wrote on Twitter.
“Horrid situation and hoping for the best.”
What is an aortic dissection?
An aortic dissection can occur when there is a weakness in the wall of the aorta, according to information on The Heart Foundation website.
A person's age and gender can play a role in their risk – it is more common in people over 60 and twice as many men than women suffer from it.
There are two different types of dissection – type A and type B – the difference is where the tear begins, in the upper part of the aorta or the lower part, respectively. It is not known which type Cairns suffered. Surgery could be performed for both types, with surgeons using a synthetic tube or graft to replace the damaged section of aorta. The recovery from this kind of medical event can take time.
Dr Gerry Devlin, medical director of The Heart Foundation described an aortic dissection as a “serious condition”.
He explained that once there is a tear, blood rushes through it, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to split – or dissect.
“This can lead to a reduced blood flow to vital organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys.”
Devlin explained symptoms could be difficult to distinguish from other heart conditions, such as a heart attack.
Aortic dissection is uncommon.
“It is more common in men over the age of 60. The risk is increased with high blood pressure, if not well controlled.
“It is also more common with a narrowing of the aorta, or abnormal aortic valves where the valve has two leaflets – called bicuspid aortic valve – as opposed to the normal three. A person could be born with either of these conditions.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/300379854/exblack-caps-star-chris-cairns-in-serious-but-stable-condition-after-cardiovascular-surgery-in-sydney
