GMA risks 'sudden death'

Manila, Philippines -  Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was brought to the Makati Medical Center (MMC) yesterday due to a life-threatening blockage in her neck caused by a displaced titanium implant, her doctor said.

Arroyo’s cardiologist Roberto Anastacio said “the presence of a displaced titanium plate (along the neck bones) is a serious factor in the mechanism of breathing and subsequently blood circulation, which may lead to sudden death.”

In his medical bulletin dated Aug. 11, Anastacio said Arroyo was also suffering from a “30-40 percent” obstruction in her right coronary artery, which according to a source close to the Arroyo family may have been caused by massive calcium intake advised by her doctors as part of her therapy.

“I understand this is because the massive calcium dosage she needed for her spinal rehab also provided the ‘matrix’ around which this obstruction may have built itself,” the source said.

Anastacio recommended a repeat of the Quantum CT scan on Arroyo to determine the extent of further deterioration of her anterior (front) cervical cage after a titanium plate attached to her cervical spine was displaced.

“I suggested that we repeat our Quantum CT scan to determine the status of the risk and how to address it,” said Anastacio.

According to the MMC, Arroyo arrived at the hospital at around 8 a.m. from her La Vista subdivision residence in Quezon City.

Accompanied by two aides, Arroyo underwent another CT scan on her neck to get a second opinion on her condition.

The lawmaker was brought back to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) following a choking episode in her house in La Vista, Quezon City last Aug. 3.

Arroyo was released from detention at the VMMC last month after she was allowed to post a P1-million bail by the Pasay Regional Trial Court, which is hearing her electoral sabotage case.

The lawmaker underwent three surgeries on her neck last year to repair a pinched nerve, where surgeons placed titanium screws. – With Mike Frialde