Scan shows Nawaz at risk of heart attack

LONDON: Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been told by doctors at the Royal Brompton Hospital that his cardiac PET scan was suggestive of ischemic myocardium, blood supply to heart is deficient, which is a risk for a heart attack and cause of his ongoing angina.

Sharif visited Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital on Monday for cardiac PET scan where he was seen by a team of specialist doctors.

A source in the hospital told this reporter on condition of anonymity that Sharif will be handed over results of the scan “after the Christmas break” but it is clear from the scans that the former premier is at risk of heart attack and his ongoing angina is a serious concern.

The hospital source said Sharif needs “invasive procedure and a coronary intervention to treat the blockage”. The source added: “If the intervention is not successful then he might go for a redo CABG, i.e. repeat Heart Bypass Operation.”

When approached to confirm the report by the Royal Brompton Hospital, Sharif’s personal physician Dr Adnan Khan refused to confirm or deny the report. He confirmed that Sharif’s cardiac PET scan was done on Monday and results of the scan were awaited and will be provided to the family in due course of time.

Dr Adnan Khan had informed last week that Sharif, who is currently in London for treatment, had been diagnosed with a complicated coronary disease and will undergo further scans.

On Tuesday, Dr Adnan tweeted: “Former PM #NawazSharif scheduled for Carotid Artery Scans to establish & evaluate extent of arterial stenosis, disease progression & risk stratification at Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London. Mr. Sharif has previously documented critical stenosis of Carotid Arteries.”

He had tweeted a day earlier: “Former PM #NawazSharif undergoing Rubidium Cardiac PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan, performed using radioactive tracer to assess & evaluate myocardial perfusion (blood supply to heart) & viability (heart muscle functioning) at Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London.”

He tweeted last Thursday: “Former PM Nawaz Sharif underwent comprehensive Cardiovascular evaluation & investigations at Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital, London. He’s diagnosed of complicated Coronary Artery / Ischemic Heart Disease with significant disease burden. Cardiac Perfusion Scans scheduled.”

Sharif continues to undergo a range of tests for his cardiac and haematology complications, as doctors continue to determine the reasons of his low platelet count and the instability of platelet count.

The former prime minister arrived in London on November 19 along with his brother Shahbaz Sharif after the court granted him permission to travel abroad on medical grounds. Prior to that he was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court in the Al-Azizia case on medical grounds.