Siena College President Br. F. Edward Coughlin suffered a massive stroke during a scheduled surgery, the college announced Friday.

Coughlin was undergoing a procedure at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester to repair a congenital heart defect. The surgery lasted longer and was far more complicated than expected. At this time, he has not yet regained consciousness.

“It was an aortic dissection, which is a tear on the inside wall of the artery that carries oxygen from the lower chambers of the heart to the rest of the body,” physicians said in a statement. “This complication reduced blood flow to the brain and caused Br. Coughlin to suffer a stroke. He is being closely monitored by the stroke recovery team in a cardiac intensive care unit. Our doctors, nurses and staff are working to give him the best care possible, and our thoughts are with his family and the Siena College Community."

Earlier this summer, the Siena Board of Trustees affirmed Dr. Margaret Madden, vice president for academic affairs, as acting president for the duration of Coughlin’s medical leave.