'Early' bypass surgery advised for Tamil Nadu electricity minister Senthil Balaji arrested by ED

Doctors have recommend a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for Tamil Nadu Electricity, Excise and Prohibition Minister Senthil Balaji at the earliest.

Chennai:Doctors treating Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji has recommended bypass surgery to remove blocks identified in the blood vessels in the heart, on Wednesday. Senthil Balaji was earlier arrested during the wee hours by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in connection with a cash for jobs scam.

A medical bulletin which is a standard protocol followed when people holding constitutional office are admitted to government facilities disclosed. However, it did not give out details on when or where the bypass surgery would be carried out. It said the patient was "recommended" to undergo the life-saving surgical procedure at the "earliest."

"Minister for Electricity, Excise and Prohibition, Senthil Balaji, age 47, underwent a coronary angiogram at 10.40 am," the medical bulletin said. The coronary angiogram has revealed blocks in three blood vessels. It has been recommended that a bypass surgery is carried to address the same at the earliest, it further said.

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The minister was suffering from triple vessel disease for which CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) - bypass surgery is advised at the earliest, PTI reporting citing doctors. Indians are known to have the highest coronary artery disease (CAD) rates, a study- Cardiovascular disease in India: A 360 degree overview by A. Sreeniwas Kumara, and Nakul Sinhab, said.

In 2016, Cardio Vascular Diseases(CVDs) contributed to 28.1 per cent of total deaths and 14 per cent of total disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The figures were pegged at 15.2 per cent and 6.9 per cent, respectively in 1990. Within India, the rates of CVD varies from state to state while it is reported higher in states of Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, the study stated.

Sources from the ED said they have arrested the minister after raiding premises belonging to him and those linked to him in Chennai, his native Karur district and Erode district. The arrest follows a long interrogation session which extended beyond 18 hours.

Watch video: TN Minister Senthil Balaji writhes in pain while being taken to hospital