Silvio Berlusconi is coherent
after undergoing heart surgery on Tuesday, the ex-premier's
brother Paolo Berlusconi said after visiting him Wednesday at
Milan's San Raffaele hospital. "I was able to speak to him. He's
awake and lucid," Paolo Berlusconi said. "He's a man who's had
an operation. He has some pains. But he's the usual fighter".
Berlusconi's girlfriend Francesca Pascale told La Repubblica
newspaper that "he has asked us to remain united" during his
recovery, which is set to take a couple of months. Berlusconi,
79, was admitted to hospital a week ago after suffering chest
pains because of a faulty aortic valve which had threatened his
life. Tuesday's four-hour operation replaced the valve. The
premier will be in intensive care for 48 hours before starting
his rehabilitation. He is expected to retake the helm of his
centre-right Forza Italia party once he is fully recovered.
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