Lalu Prasad Yadav undergoes 6 hours long surgery, to remain in ICU for 4 days

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav underwent a six-hour-long heart surgery at Asian Heart Institute today.

The 67-year-old political leader was admitted under the care of Dr Ramakant Panda, the hospital director, on Monday for a total health check-up.

According to senior doctors, he had multiple heart problems for which he came to the hospital for a detailed check up. The tests revealed that the former Bihar chief minister had 'aortic valve stenosis' (disease of the heart valves in which the opening of the aortic valve – the largest artery in the body – is narrowed) and doctors decided to take him up for an emergency surgery.

The team of doctors in AHI replaced the aortic valve and fixed the defects in the heart valves. The doctors also repaired the 3mm hole in his heart. Doctors also pointed out that he also has minor blockages, which don't need medical attention as of now. The surgery started at about 9:45 am and concluded just after 4pm

"He was very co-operative. The surgery went off well. The minor blockages will be taken care of with medicine. He will remain in the ICU for 3-4 days and in recovery for another week. He will be discharged over the next 10-12 days," said Dr Panda.

Yadav's wife, Rabri Devi, and children accompanied him to the hospital.

Yadav has held the union railway ministry portfolio from 2004-2009 under the UPA government. Recently, his party RJD formed an alliance with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal to contest for the upcoming state elections.