This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6189157.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Berlusconi in US for heart checks Berlusconi has US heart surgery
(about 10 hours later)
The former Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, 70, who collapsed at a political rally last month, has gone to the US for medical tests. The former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, 70, has undergone heart surgery in the United States.
Italian media reports have suggested Mr Berlusconi, 70, may be fitted with a heart pacemaker. His party Forza Italia said the operation, carried out in Cleveland, Ohio, was necessary to correct Mr Berlusconi's irregular heart rhythm.
However his spokesman would not confirm that he was due to have surgery, referring only to "medical checks". His heart problems emerged last month when he collapsed at a political rally.
Mr Berlusconi, leader of the opposition and Italy's richest man, admitted last month that he should "slow down". Italian media suggested he had gone to the US to be fitted with a pacemaker. The surgeon confirmed that the surgery was successful, Forza Italia said.
He made the comments after leaving hospital, where he spent three days after collapsing during a speech he was making to his Forza Italia party in Tuscany. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi sent a message of goodwill to his rival.
"Dear Silvio, I am relieved to know that the operation that you have undergone in these hours in the United States has been successfully completed," it said, according to a text released by his office to Associated Press.
Mr Berlusconi, who is leader of the centre-right opposition and Italy's richest man, admitted last month that he should "slow down".
He made the comments after leaving hospital, where he spent three days after collapsing during a speech he was making to his party in Tuscany.
Doctors said they detected an irregular heartbeat.Doctors said they detected an irregular heartbeat.