The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Kumaraswamy undergoes surgery

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 21, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Kumaraswamy undergoes surgery

Special Correspondent

He is off the ventilator and all vital parameters are fine, say doctors

— Photo: By special arrangement

Anxious father: The former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda leaving the hospital where his son and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy underwent surgery in Bangalore on Thursday.

Bangalore: The former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday underwent open-heart surgery at Wockhardt Hospital here for replacement of the aortic valve.

C.N. Manjunath, Director of the Government Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and Mr. Kumaraswamy’s brother-in-law, who participated in the surgery, said the operation was successful and the Janata Dal (Secular) leader was doing fine. “He has regained consciousness and is talking. Even the ventilator has been taken off. All the vital parameters are fine.”

A team of cardiac surgeons led by the noted cardiothoracic surgeon Vivek Jawali performed the operation.

Mr. Kumaraswamy had been diagnosed with stenosis (hardening) of the bicuspid aortic valve some time ago. Following repeated complaints of chest pain over the past few weeks, the former Chief Minister was admitted to the hospital on Monday after which a detailed medical check-up was carried out. Among others who participated in the surgery were Murali Manohar and Murali Chakravarthy.

Mr. Kumaraswamy will be in the intensive care unit for two days. He will then be shifted to a private ward where he will recuperate for about a week. The hospital authorities have made arrangements for him to run his office from the ward.

During the open heart surgery, the aortic valve was replaced with a “Perimount Magna” tissue valve, which is described as one of the best heart valve’s available in the world.

Dr. Jawali and Dr. Manjunath said that Mr. Kumaraswamy could be back at work in a month. He should be able to lead a robust and normal lifestyle.

All through the operation, the former Prime Minister, H.D.Deve Gowda and his wife Chennamma sat outside the operation theatre along with Anita Kumaraswamy and son, Nikhil Gowda. Janata Dal (S) activists arranged for special prayers at several temples to pray for the speedy recovery of their leader.

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