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Madison researchers studying aortic dissection that killed Sen. Lindsey Graham

Early findings indicate Sen. Lindsey Graham died from an aortic dissection— a condition that UW Health researchers in Madison are actively studying.

An aortic dissection occurs when a layer of the body’s main artery separates, disrupting blood flow to vital organs.

Dr. Paul DiMusto, a UW Health vascular surgeon and co-director of the UW Health Aortic Center, said many patients have no symptoms until the event occurs, and it is often life-threatening.