ROME – Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s heart operation to his aortic valve got underway on Tuesday morning at the hospital of San Raffaele in Milan.  According to hospital sources the operation, which lasted four and a half hours, went well and he has been transferred to the intensive care ward for monitoring during his recovery.  The operation was being run by a team of surgeons, headed by Ottavio Alfieri, declared the hospital.  His children and long term partner, Francesca Pascale, along with politician Maria Rosaria Rossi, one of Berlusconi’s “magic circle” were all reported to be present.

 The politician has endured an eventful week of tests at the hospital San Raffaele in Milan, after being rushed to hospital with fear of possible heart failure last weekend, with doctors finally reaching the conclusion that his aortic valve needed to be operated on. Zangrillo added that, “it is likely that the four-hour operation will take place mid-week”.

 The operation is said to run a two percent mortality risk and that initially Berlusconi had not wanted to believe the diagnosis. However, the doctor said that the former Italian Prime Minister has since taken the decision on board with “great courage and determination” and has said that he has “complete trust in the competence of his doctors.”

 The alarm of heart failure raised on June 4 brought the ex-premier’s health risk to the direct attention of his medical professionals, but Zangrillo had reportedly been concerned by Berlusconi’s tired appearance in recent weeks. It is therefore of relief to those around the politician that a direct course of action has been decided upon to help assure his safety and good health.

 Matteo Salvini, leader of the Lega Nord party, has voiced his wishes of speedy recovery to Berlusconi, adding, “when somebody’s health is in jeopardy, it is not something to be taken lightly.”

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