THE Duke of Edinburgh has undergone successful heart surgery, Buckingham Palace said.
Prince Philip, 99, will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days. Here’s what we know so far…
What is Philip’s heart condition?
The Palace has not commented on what type of surgery or operation the duke had this time.
But Prince Philip, who will be 100 in June, has previously been treated for heart-related reasons.
In 2011, he was taken to hospital by helicopter after suffering from chest pains while at Sandringham ahead of Christmas.
He received treatment for a blocked coronary artery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time that he had successfully undergone a “minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting”.
The procedure is used to widen blocked or narrowed coronary arteries – the main blood vessels supplying the heart.
It involves inserting a small balloon into the artery, via the groin or waist, and pushing it up to the blockage, where it is inflated.
The artery is then kept open with a tiny cylindrical scaffold, known as a stent, which is left in place permanently to allow blood to flow more freely.
It’s one of the most common types of treatment for the heart and as it doesn’t involve making major incisions in the body, it’s usually carried out safely in most people.
Doctors refer to this as a minimally invasive form of treatment.
The duke – like the thousands of others who have had the treatment – would have remained conscious during the procedure.
When was he taken to hospital?
Philip was initially admitted to the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London on February 16 after feeling unwell.
It was not an emergency admission and he walked in unaided, the Palace said.
His aides revealed they expected him to be released within days and that doctors were simply acting with “an abundance of caution.”
But the palace later revealed he was being treated for an infection and would remain in hospital for several more days than expected.
He was then moved to St Bartholomew’s Hospital by ambulance on Monday.
St Bartholomew’s is home to Barts Heart Centre – Europe’s largest specialised cardiovascular service.
It’s understood he underwent heart surgery on Wednesday and has now spent 16 nights in hospital – his longest ever stay.
