Sport
Update: Fabrice Muamba breathing independently recognizes family
Fabrice Muamba in the game against Tottenham, before his collapse. PHOTO/AFP
English soccer player Fabrice Muamba began breathing independently and responding to family members on Monday, showing significant signs of recovery in intensive care two days after suffering a cardiac arrest during a match.
The 23-year-old Bolton midfielder collapsed on the field just before halftime at Tottenham on Saturday. Initial attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, and his heart started beating on its own again only later in the hospital.
For two days, amid an outpouring of global support, Muamba remained in critical condition in intensive care in a heart attack unit, and his long-term prognosis was uncertain.
But the Congo-born player made progress throughout Monday, with medics no longer describing his condition as “critical” by the evening.
“He is continuing to show signs of improvement this evening,” Bolton and the London Chest Hospital said in a joint statement. “He is now able to breathe independently without the aid of a ventilator. He has also been able to recognize family members and respond to questions appropriately.
“These are all positive signs of progress. However, his condition remains serious and the medical staff in intensive care will continue to monitor and treat him.”
Muamba’s friend, Curtis Codrington, said the family told him the player was speaking “minimal words in English and French, which is better than nothing.” That was later confirmed by Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien after a hospital visit.
The player’s fiancee reflected the optimism of the medics.
