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PRESS RELEASE - UPDATE 12/15/2023
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster is recovering well from the minor outpatient heart procedure performed this morning and will be heading home shortly, according to Dr. Amy Rawl Epps, the governor’s cardiologist.
“The governor underwent a procedure for atrial fibrillation performed by my partner, Dr. William Brabham.” said Dr. Epps. “The procedure lasted one hour and fifty minutes and was very successful and uncomplicated. He is recovering well.”
Governor McMaster will resume his normal work schedule on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
Photo: Melissa Sue Gerrits / Getty Images News / Getty Images
PREVIOUSLY ISSUED: Gov. McMaster to undergo minor outpatient heart procedure
Live 5's Marissa Lute
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - The governor of South Carolina will be having surgery Friday morning to correct paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, an intermittent irregular heartbeat, according to his staff.
Gov. Henry McMaster’s office made the announcement Thursday. They said the procedure is scheduled for 8 a.m. and is expected to take two to three hours, during which he will be under general anesthesia.
The office says the condition was first discovered on April 27, 2022 when the governor was scheduled to have orthopedic knee surgery to repair a slight meniscus tear, he suffered while playing tennis with the First Lady.
“Dr. Epps characterized the elective procedure as a ‘relatively simple’ one and added that the 76-year-old has ‘had an extensive cardiac workup’ and ‘has very normal cardiac function and no evidence of significant coronary artery disease,’” McMaster’s spokesperson Brandon Charochak says.
He says the governor has notified Lt. Governor Pamela S. Evette of the elective procedure. The South Carolina Constitution provides that the lieutenant governor may take executive action in case of emergency if the governor is temporarily disabled.
McMaster is scheduled to return home following the procedure.
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