Keeping a Close Eye, From Far Away: How Remote Aneurysm Surveillance Helped a Patient in Rolla, Missouri

When Berdie Kirby, 68, needed ongoing monitoring and specialized care for a life-threatening aortic condition, frequent trips from her home in Rolla, Missouri, to St. Louis, a journey of more than two hours, was sometimes challenging. But thanks to Missouri Baptist Medical Center’s Telemedicine Aortic Surveillance Clinic, Berdie was able to receive expert, ongoing care without long-distance travel.  

For patients like Berdie, who want an experienced aortic surgeon to monitor their aneurysm but who can’t travel to St. Louis regularly, the Surveillance Clinic gives her peace of mind. The Clinic is a well-established diagnostic, surgical, and surveillance program that offers comprehensive care for patients with aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the main artery of the body. 

Through remote imaging reviews and virtual visits, the aortic surveillance clinical team tracks Berdie’s condition in real time and intervenes when it matters most. Instead of making frequent trips to St. Louis, she gets CT scans done locally. The images are sent directly to her care team who consult with Joshua Baker, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Missouri Baptist. If there is any sign of concern, such as a tear or change in the aneurysm, the patient is called in for an in-person evaluation and if needed, to discuss surgical options.  

Dr. Baker recommends remote surveillance for patients whom he has operated on for aortic aneurysm or who have stable aortic aneurysm disease and live far from the hospital.  

“We see many patients from Illinois, southern Missouri, and Arkansas, who don’t have local access to aneurysm monitoring,” Dr. Baker says. “This program saves them time, money, and the burden of travel, while reassuring them their condition is being closely watched.” 

“Berdie is an ideal candidate for surveillance through telehealth,” says Dr. Baker. “She lives far from St. Louis and doesn’t have reliable transportation. With telemedicine, we can follow her aorta closely without requiring constant travel.” 

Berdie first came to the clinic May 2024 and had surgery the following month. As she approached her one-year follow-up, she began experiencing new symptoms.  

“Berdie has a previous endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for an abdominal aortic aneurysm,” says Jenn Mcgee, nurse practitioner, Missouri Baptist Medical Center. Berdie’s surveillance imaging revealed that the native aorta just above her previously placed EVAR graft had enlarged to surgical size, and she needed to discuss aortic intervention with Dr. Baker. 

The turning point came after Berdie was involved in a car accident. During an Emergency Department visit, a new scan was performed, and immediately reached the clinic’s virtual platform. Dr. Baker discovered a new aneurysm just above the original repair site. 

“Berdie told me about new abdominal pain,” Jenn says. “It raised a red flag. Dr. Baker reviewed her scans and along with the symptoms she was having, he discovered that another procedure was necessary.” 

Thanks to the clinics streamlined telemedicine the team acted quickly. Berdie had her next procedure within a couple of weeks. 

"We ultimately performed one of the most sophisticated endovascular procedures we offered, a branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair,” says Dr. Baker. “This was required because the segment of the aorta above her prior repair had become significantly enlarged.  

“Because of the Surveillance Clinic we were able to monitor her condition, identify changes quickly, and take action before things became critical,” says Dr. Baker. “It’s an example of how remote care can still be highly connected and deeply personal.” 

For Berdie, the surveillance clinic means staying close to expert care, even when miles apart. “It’s nice knowing they are there for me during something life-changing,” she says. “Dr. Baker saved my life,” Berdie says. “I would recommend him to anybody.” 

To learn more about the Telemedicine Aortic Surveillance Clinic or to see if you would be a candidate, call 314-996-5287.