Former first lady recovering after heart operation

Former US first lady Barbara Bush is recovering in hospital today after open heart surgery to replace her aortic valve.

The surgery at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, lasted about two and a half hours and was scheduled last week after Mrs Bush, 83, experienced shortness of breath, family 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 Centre, replaced the valve with a biologic valve, the hospital said.

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

Former president George Bush senior was at the hospital with his wife, who was resting comfortably in the intensive care unit. The hospital said Mrs Bush was expected to go home in seven to 10 days.

“I am very impressed with and grateful to the wonderful team of doctors and nurses at The Methodist Hospital who have helped Barbara,” Mr Bush said. “We have every confidence she is in the best hands.”

Mrs Bush is the mother of former President George Bush and ex-Florida governor Jeb Bush.

She underwent surgery in November for a perforated ulcer. The hospital said the two were unrelated.