Duke stays in hospital after surgery for heart condition
THE Duke of Edinburgh has undergone surgery for a pre-existing heart condition and will remain in hospital for several more days, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Prince Philip, 99, was transferred from the private King Edward VII hospital to St Bartholomew’s, a leading cardiac unit, in London on Monday nearly two weeks after admission.
The palace said in a statement: “The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a preexisting heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
“His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days.”
The Duke was admitted to the King Edward VII in central London on Feb 16 for “rest and observation” after feeling unwell.
It was not an emergency admission and the Duke walked in unaided. Aides said that they expected him to be released within days and that doctors were simply acting with “an abundance of caution”.
But the palace later announced that he was being treated for an infection and would remain in hospital for longer than expected. The Duke, who in 2011 received treatment for a blocked coronary artery, was transferred to St Bartholomew’s by ambulance.
The NHS hospital, which also offers private care, is the largest cardiac centre in the UK. It is described as “a worldleading centre of excellence” that uses advanced technology and the latest drugs and treatments.
Prof Stephen Westaby, one of Britain’s most eminent cardiac surgeons, now retired, said the Duke had most likely undergone a second angioplasty and had another stent fitted.
“He’d probably been having angina whilst in hospital, as the stress of an infection increases the heart rate,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“If that was the case, they would have moved him to St Barts for a coronary angiogram and the angioplasty. It’s done under local anaesthetic but because of his age they would keep in for a few days.”
Dr Westaby said the Duke’s recovery would depend on the nature of the infection.
On Wednesday, the Duchess of Cornwall said he was “slightly improving” but added that he “hurts at moments”.