Posted on 01/24/2006 2:41:05 PM PST by ex-Texan
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's health problems were more serious than doctors let on after he suffered a minor stroke in December, including a large aneurysm in the septum between the chambers of his heart, the Haaretz newspaper reported Tuesday.
Sharon, comatose since suffering a massive second stroke on Jan. 4, also suffered from a shunt that causes blood to flow in the wrong direction through a tiny hole in the septum that he was born with, the newspaper said.
The aneurysm is a known source of cerebral blood clots, the newspaper said. The prime minister also had other conditions in the cardiac septum that made him vulnerable to blood clots that could enter his brain, the newspaper said.
After the first stroke, on Dec. 18, which was caused by a small blood clot, Sharon's neurologist, Dr. Tamir Ben-Hur, said the prime minister's overall condition was generally good, except for his obesity. Blood thinners were prescribed to lessen the risk of further clotting, but they also increased the risk of hemorrhaging in the brain.
Shortly after, doctors disclosed in a news conference that Sharon had a tiny hole in his cardiac septum, which was to have been repaired on Jan 5. On the eve of that procedure, he suffered the second stroke.
The second stroke was caused by a burst blood vessel and attended by severe cerebral bleeding, raising questions over whether the prescription of blood thinners was in order.
Hadassah Hospital spokeswoman Yael Bossem-Levy said in response to the news report on Tuesday that "nothing in Haaretz is new. Everything that appears in the item was discussed at the news conference" where the hole in the septum was disclosed, she said.
I would not be shocked at all to find out Bush was behind this, somehow.
Instead of going out with a "bang," at the helm of his government and with a big funeral, he'll linger for months on support half-forgotten.
Doubt he would have wanted the latter.
Behind what, exactly? The failure of Sharon's doctors to inform the public about his very serious condition? For what possible reason would Bush be behind that?
Aw, come on ex-Texan, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. [leans arm on hot engine part, then jumps away] Hey! It's ALL Bush nowadays! Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads, and I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.
sw
Sharon's condition was kept under wraps for good reason. No doubt the IDF needed to get its ducks in a row given Israel's continually precarious security situation.
Greg
Thanks for your imput. I smell a malpractice action brewing in the background.
Not sure what the malpractice laws are like over there, but that is the impression my son's neurologist gave me.
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