The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 175

“Patient Arthur Sullivan, 87 years old. Acute heart failure with multi-organ dysfunction, suspected digoxin toxicity,” Evelyn’s voice rang clear and authoritative through her mask. “Surgical plan: Modified median sternotomy, Left Ventricular Assist Device implantation, concurrent cardiopulmonary bypass, and continuous venovenous hemofiltration.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the team. “The patient is elderly with poor baseline health. The mortality risk is extremely high. Everyone, I’m counting on you.”

Dr. Hayes, the head of anesthesiology, gave a sharp nod. “Anesthesia is locked in. All vitals monitored.”

“Start the clock.” Evelyn extended her hand.

The scrub nurse slapped the scalpel into her palm.

The blade came down—precise, unshakable, utterly devoid of hesitation.

The operating room was swallowed by the rhythmic sounds of life-support machines, the clatter of surgical instruments, and Evelyn’s terse commands.

“Bovie.” “Suction.” “Expose the sternum.”

Dr. Vance assisted by her side, his eyes widening with every passing second. As one of the nation's premier cardiothoracic surgeons, this fifty-something veteran was practically holding his breath.

The placement, angle, and depth of her incisions were as flawless as textbook illustrations. Her mastery over tissue layers, her effortless navigation around vessels and nerves—it wasn’t just skill. It was surgical art.

“Dr. Sullivan...” Dr. Vance couldn't help but whisper. “This approach... it deviates from the standard protocol.”

“It’s a modified minimally invasive sternotomy,” Evelyn replied, never lifting her eyes, her hands moving like lightning. “It reduces skeletal trauma and expedites postoperative recovery. I published the technique in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery last year.”

Dr. Vance gasped. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery? That was the absolute pinnacle of global cardiothoracic publications. And this modified procedure? She didn't just know it—she invented it.

The surgery progressed. The chest was opened, the pericardium incised, and the failing heart exposed.

The exhausted muscle fluttered weakly in the chest cavity, every contraction a monumental struggle.

“Prep the bypass,” Evelyn ordered.

Dr. Reed, the perfusionist, immediately responded, “Ready. We can take over circulation on your mark.”

“Initiate cooling. Target temp 28 degrees Celsius.”

The heart’s rhythm slowed as the temperature dropped. Evelyn’s hands were as steady as high-precision machinery as she placed the purse-string sutures at the cardiac apex, creating the inlet interface for the VAD.

“Dr. Vance, stabilize the heart position.”

Dr. Vance hurried to comply, but Evelyn’s movements were so unbelievably fast and exact that he was relegated to providing only the most basic retraction.

“Inflow cannula insertion.” Evelyn gently guided the anticoagulation-treated tube into the left ventricle. “Depth at 12 centimeters. Confirming placement.”

The ultrasonographer immediately verified it. “Position is perfect. No valvular interference.”

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