Holbrooke Undergoes 7 More Hours of Heart Surgery

Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, underwent more surgery today after a 20-hour operation that ended yesterday, the State Department said.

Today’s seven-hour procedure was necessary after surgery to repair a tear in his aorta was slowed by the failure of his blood to clot, said family friends who spoke on condition of anonymity. Holbrooke’s family “is grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers coming in from his many friends, colleagues and leaders around the world,” State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley said in an e-mailed statement.