BREAKING NEWS: AC Milan confirm Antonio Cassano to undergo heart surgery after suffering ischemic cerebal damageThe Milanese club have released a statement on their official website to explain the forward's situation and have revealed he will be unavailable for a while
AC Milan have announced in an official statement that tests have revealed Antonio Cassano contracted a cerebal problem and will have to undergo surgery.The Italy international was taken ill on Saturday, amid fears the player suffered an ischemic stroke on the flight back to Milan after their 3-2 win at Roma.
However, the club's official website has confirmed that the 29-year-old was the victim of an ischemic attack which arised from the presence of a hole between the two atria in his heart, but will not suffer lasting damage after it was found to be localised.
"AC Milan, according to medical reports of the Policlinico in Milan, have said that Antonio Cassano has experienced ischemic cerebral damage," read a statement. "The instrumental and neuroradiological examinations ran their course for 72 hours and have highlighted the problem in the circumscribed area of the brain will not result in persistent neurological deficits.
"The cause was identified as the presence of a patent foramen ovale, detectable only with sophisticated, specialised investigations. The timing of therapy established has allowed a rapid recovery and improvement of clinical conditions that are good.
"In the coming days the player will undergo a small surgical interventional cardiology (closure of the foramen ovale).
The recovery time for his return will be better defined after the surgery, but probably will be a few months."The news has since filtered through to vice-president Adriano Galliani, who continued to remain strong for Cassano with an act of optimism, but admitted that he was uncertain about the extent of his illness at one stage.
"The conditions are good for Antonio, the boy is fine, but I'm not a doctor and the statement says it all," admitted Galliani.
"This problem will be solved via cardiac surgery in a few months and then will be the Football Association to give him the green light to play again. I was very, very worried at first, but I have told Antonio not to worry."
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2011/11/02/2739494/breaking-news-ac-milan-confirm-antonio-cassano-to-undergo