Jaya did not suffer from heart diseases, cardiologist tells panel

The Justice A Arumughasamy Commission of Inquiry examined Dr LF Sridhar, a cardio thoracic surgeon who attended to Jayalalithaa during her hospitalisation.

The panel has examined several doctors on Jayalalithaa’s health issues and complications, the diagnostic tests done and treatment options pursued as part of its fact finding exercise.

N Raja Senthhoor Pandian, counsel for VK Sasikala, confidante of the late Jayalalithaa, told reporters that he asked the surgeon if vegetation in the mitral valve of the late leader was the reason for the cardiac arrest she suffered on December 4, 2016.

“The doctor replied that it was not the reason and he also testified that the late leader did not have any heart diseases and there was no need for any (cardiac) surgery,” he said. To a question on why an angiogram was not done, the counsel quoted the surgeon as telling the panel that she did not need it at any point in time and it was a diagnostic test that had nothing to do with her vegetation. “The cardiac arrest was only a consequence Jayalalithaa faced in view of a bundle of diseases she had. The cardiac arrest was not due to either vegetation or (valve) perforation...the doctor told the panel,” he said.

Counsel for Apollo Hospitals, Maimoona Badsha said the doctor, in his deposition, said septicaemia also caused vegetation, as well as valve perforation and Jayalalithaa was hence given antibiotics. Meanwhile, the panel issues summons to to Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan to appear before the Commission before December 17 at Kalas Mahal. As Radhakrishnan is engaged in relief work, the Commission has offered some flexibility regarding the date. 

It has also sent summons to Jayalalithaa’s personal security detail S Perumalsamy to appear on Tuesday.