Chile’s Pinochet fights for life after heart attack

SANTIAGO – Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet fought to survive yesterday after a heart attack put him in a Santiago military hospital, while teary-eyed supporters of all ages held vigil outside.

Pinochet, 91, who ran Chile with brutal discipline for 17 years, was in stable but serious condition after an angioplasty on Sunday to unblock clogged arteries. “It’s difficult to say he is out of danger.The next 24 to 48 hours are critical,” his doctor, Juan Ignacio Vergara, said on Sunday night.”There could be complications …renal, respiratory failures.”Before the angioplasty, Pinochet was given the Roman Catholic last rites traditionally administered by a priest to the dying.His son, Marco Antonio Pinochet, said Pinochet was brought back from near death.Doctors said they were trying to avoid surgery, which would be risky because of Pinochet’s age.Doctors plan to provide their next update on the retired general’s health at 1300 GMT.Nampa-Reuters”It’s difficult to say he is out of danger.The next 24 to 48 hours are critical,” his doctor, Juan Ignacio Vergara, said on Sunday night.”There could be complications …renal, respiratory failures.”Before the angioplasty, Pinochet was given the Roman Catholic last rites traditionally administered by a priest to the dying.His son, Marco Antonio Pinochet, said Pinochet was brought back from near death.Doctors said they were trying to avoid surgery, which would be risky because of Pinochet’s age.Doctors plan to provide their next update on the retired general’s health at 1300 GMT.Nampa-Reuters