The two-and-a-half-hour surgery was performed by a five-member team of cardiac surgeons led by Dr Vivek Jawali, Chief Cardiovascular surgeon of Wockhardt, and Dr C N Manjunath, Director of government-run Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and also the brother-in-law of Kumaraswamy.

Kumaraswamy’s father and former premier H D Deve Gowda arrived at the hospital in the morning and stayed put till the surgery was through. Mother Chennamma, wife, son, brother Revanna and other family members visited him before the surgery began around 8 am. Kumaraswamy will be in the Intensive Care Unit for the next 48 hours.

Janata Dal (Secular) party workers and well wishers offered prayers at various temples in the city wishing their leader a speedy recovery.

Artificial valve

Mr Vishal Bali, Chief Executive Officer of the Wockhardt group of hospitals in India, said a tissue-based artificial valve had replaced the damaged valve that was surgically removed. He said Dr Jawali opted for a  tissue valve instead of a mechanical valve as the latter would require the patient to be on anticoagulant medication for life to prevent blood clots from forming. Mr Bali said the cost of the valve is approximately Rs 1.5 lakh.

The tissue valve has a life span of about 20 years but a repeat surgery cannot be ruled out in some cases, depending on the condition of valve function, the doctors said.

Dr Manjunath said Mr Kumaraswamy had abnormal flow of blood patterns from birth and due to this the valve had become thick and calcific, resulting in an obstruction to the flow of blood from left ventrical to the aorta. This obstruction, Dr Manjunath said, was recognised one year ago as mild but due to diabetes it had progressed rapidly to the severe stage causing frequent chest pain, and also posing a 25 per cent possibility of sudden death.

Dr Jawali said he chose “Perimount Magna” tissue valve, the best available in that category, and replaced the damaged valve through a small incision without any blood transfusion.

Mr Kumaraswamy recovered very briskly, Dr Jawali said, adding that the former chief minister regained consciousness late in the afternoon and has been interacting with the doctors. His post-surgery blood report, ECG and other vital parameters were normal, said Dr Jawali.

Wife Anitha, son Nikhil, close friends Zameer Ahmed Khan, Cheluvarayaswamy (both Ministers in HDK cabinet) and Puttanna (legislator) were allowed to meet Kumaraswamy briefly around 6 pm. He would be hospitalised for a week and could run his office from his hospital bed. After discharge, he would be home-bound for four to six weeks, said Bali.

HEALTH PARAMETERS

*Heart problem existed since childhood but diagnosed only a year ago.
*Calcific aortic valve replaced with artificial tissue valve.
*Artificial valve has a life of about 20 years; requires no regular medication.
*Should resume routine by mid-February, 2008.