The Prime Minister is on a respirator and has been anesthetized, undergoing an emergency operation for what doctors term "significant cerebral bleeding." Information on his condition is sparse, as only the operating team - three of the most senior surgeons in the country - has first-hand knowledge of the current situation. Aides close to Sharon and the hospital staff say, and their body language implies, that the situation is quite serious.
In general, the outcome of an operation of the type being performed on the Prime Minister is greatly in doubt. One website medical encylopedia states, "The outcome varies highly. Death may occur rapidly despite prompt medical treatment. Recovery may occur completely or with a permanent loss of some brain functions."
Dr. Yonatan HaLevy, the Director of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, said shortly after 2 AM - over two and a half hours after the beginning of the operation - that the longer the operation continues, the more serious the situation appears to be.
Sharon complained earlier Wednesday evening of a headache and pains in the chest and hand. He was then taken by ambulance from his home at the Shikmim Farm near Sderot to Hadassah Ein Karem in Jerusalem, arriving fully conscious at around 11 PM. However, his condition deteriorated almost as soon as he arrived, and he was quickly taken to the operating room.
The operation could take up to several hours and "is not simple," doctors said.
Sharon's personal physician, Dr. Shlomo Segev, accompanied him to the hospital. Doctors announced at around 11:30 PM that the Prime Minister had suffered a "significant" stroke, and later said that there was "significant" bleeding in his brain.
Aides said that after consultations with the office of Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, the Prime Minister's powers were transferred to his deputy, Finance Minister Ehud Olmert.
The Prime Minister, who is to turn 78 in February, suffered a mild stroke on December 18, and was to undergo surgery Thursday morning for a procedure to close a small hole in his heart. The planned procedure is considered routine, with only a small measure of risk. The small hole in his heart of about one-eighth of an inch, a common birth defect, was discovered after the mild stroke, which left him unconscious for several minutes.
The assumption has been raised that the medicines prescribed for Sharon after the stroke, including blood-thinners, may have led to the hemorrhaging. It was emphasized, however, that the prescription of such medicines was totally indicated by accepted medical practice.
In general, the outcome of an operation of the type being performed on the Prime Minister is greatly in doubt. One website medical encylopedia states, "The outcome varies highly. Death may occur rapidly despite prompt medical treatment. Recovery may occur completely or with a permanent loss of some brain functions."
Dr. Yonatan HaLevy, the Director of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, said shortly after 2 AM - over two and a half hours after the beginning of the operation - that the longer the operation continues, the more serious the situation appears to be.
Sharon complained earlier Wednesday evening of a headache and pains in the chest and hand. He was then taken by ambulance from his home at the Shikmim Farm near Sderot to Hadassah Ein Karem in Jerusalem, arriving fully conscious at around 11 PM. However, his condition deteriorated almost as soon as he arrived, and he was quickly taken to the operating room.
The operation could take up to several hours and "is not simple," doctors said.
Sharon's personal physician, Dr. Shlomo Segev, accompanied him to the hospital. Doctors announced at around 11:30 PM that the Prime Minister had suffered a "significant" stroke, and later said that there was "significant" bleeding in his brain.
Aides said that after consultations with the office of Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, the Prime Minister's powers were transferred to his deputy, Finance Minister Ehud Olmert.
The Prime Minister, who is to turn 78 in February, suffered a mild stroke on December 18, and was to undergo surgery Thursday morning for a procedure to close a small hole in his heart. The planned procedure is considered routine, with only a small measure of risk. The small hole in his heart of about one-eighth of an inch, a common birth defect, was discovered after the mild stroke, which left him unconscious for several minutes.
The assumption has been raised that the medicines prescribed for Sharon after the stroke, including blood-thinners, may have led to the hemorrhaging. It was emphasized, however, that the prescription of such medicines was totally indicated by accepted medical practice.