Milan`s Cassano to have heart surgery
Baku, November 3 (AZERTAC). Italian football champions AC Milan have announced that Antonio Cassano will undergo heart surgery, after the striker was hospitalized following last weekend`s 3-2 win against Roma.
The Italy international fell ill after Saturday`s match at the Stadio Olimpico, with a statement from the seven-time European champions on Wednesday confirming the 29-year-old experienced "ischemic cerebral damage."
The condition was caused by a malformation in Cassano`s heart, resulting in poor blood flow to the brain -- which can lead to possible vision, movement and speech restrictions.
Milan said he suffered no lasting neurological damage but will now face months on the sidelines.
"AC Milan, according to medical reports of the Policlinico in Milan, have said that Antonio Cassano has experienced ischemic cerebral damage," read the statement on the 18-time Serie A title winners` official website.
"The cause was identified as the presence of a patent foramen ovale septal heart, detectable only with sophisticated specialized investigations. The timing of therapy established has allowed a rapid recovery and improvement of clinical conditions.
"In the coming days the player will undergo a small surgical interventional cardiology (closure of the foramen ovale). The recovery time for return to playing will be better defined after the surgery, but probably will be a few months."
He will be hoping to recover in time to be part of Cesare Prandelli`s Italy squad for next year`s European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, which starts in June 2012.
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