Jayalalithaa put on heart assistance device after cardiac arrest

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Dec. 4 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has been put on extracorporeal membrane heart assist device by expert doctors and critical care specialists at Apollo Hospitals after she suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening. "Dr. Richard Beale, professor of intensive care medicine, from London was also consulted, and he has concurred with the line of treatment by our cardiologists & pulmonologists," said Apollo Hospitals. Huge crowd gathered outside Apollo Hospital here after the news of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa having suffered a cardiac arrest broke on Sunday evening. Many supporters were seen wailing and praying for the well-being of the Chief Minister. Heavy police force has been deployment outside the hospital to control the mammoth crowd. An Apollo Hospitals statement today said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister suffered a cardiac arrest and is being treated and monitored by a team of experts, including cardiologists, pulmonologist and the critical care specialists. Doctor from All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, will leave for Chennai tomorrow to assist in Jayalalithaa's treatment. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda spoke to the Apollo Hospital Chairman and inquired into the health of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. In the meantime, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to state Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao to take stock of the situation. President Pranab Mukherjee tweeted, "Distressed to hear about CM Jayalalithaa suffering a cardiac arrest, my prayers for her speedy recovery #PresidentMukherjee" The Chief Minister was admitted to Apollo Hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. She has been kept under the close observation of a specialist from London, besides a three-member team of doctors from AIIMS. On November 13, in an address to her party workers, Jayalalithaa said she had taken "rebirth" and she was waiting to resume her duties after her complete recovery. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on November 19 tweeted Jayalalithaa was shifted from the ICU to the normal ward in the hospital. This is the first time that that Jayalalaithaa has been moved out of the ICU since she was admitted on September 22 with complaints of fever and dehydration. On November 17, AIADMK spokesperson C. Ponnaiyan said that "Amma", as she is popularly referred to by her party cadre, was healthy and absolutely fit to attend to all political and government activities. (ANI)