Official Release, January 13, 2012
Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke remains at the University of Utah Hospital in critical condition. She is under close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team coordinated by neurointensivist Safdar Ansari, M.D.
"Sarah remains in critical condition in the Neuro Critical Care Unit”, said Ansari. "With traumatic brain injury, our care is focused on addressing the primary injury and preventing secondary brain damage, as well as managing other injuries sustained at the time of the accident; all of which requires close monitoring and intensive care. At this moment, Sarah needs more time before any prognosis can be determined."
Official Release, January 12, 2012,
Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke remains in critical condition at the University of Utah Hospital after sustaining serious injuries during a training run at Park City Mountain Resort on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Burke underwent a successful operation to repair a tear to her vertebral artery which resulted in an intracranial hemorrhage at the time of her fall. William T. Couldwell, M.D. Ph.D., professor and chair of Neurosurgery at University of Utah performed the operation to repair the artery.
“With injuries of this type, we need to observe the course of her brain function before making definitive pronouncements about Sarah’s prognosis for recovery,” said Couldwell. “Our Neuro Critical Care team will be monitoring her condition and response continuously over the coming hours and days.”
Sarah’s family is grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support from around the globe. Fans may continue to use Sarah's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Burke/50553451173 to express their wishes and receive updates.
The family also requests media and the public respect their privacy in order to give them time with Sarah at this critical stage.
Photo: Burke airs out of the Eagle Superpipe at Park City, UT early this week. Credit: Shay Williams
Click here to see the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association's original release regarding Burke's accident.
