Former Vice President Dick Cheney says he underwent heart surgery last week and is recuperating.
In
a statement, Cheney said he had been experiencing increasing congestive
heart failure and after consultations with his doctors, he had received
an implantable pump, to improve heart function. He said the operation
went well and he is recuperating.
The pump, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), is a battery-operated, mechanical
device that helps maintain the
pumping ability of a heart that can't work effectively on its own. It is often used as a bridge to a heart transplant.
The 69-year-old Cheney has a long history of heart disease. Cheney's heart attack earlier this year was his fifth since age 37.