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MPLA’s Villagomez undergoes pacemaker implant
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Posted on Feb 11 2006
Marianas Public Lands Authority vice chair Manuel Villagomez was outfitted with a pacemaker and the official is now recuperating from the surgery.
MPLA spokesman Ed Arriola Jr. said the surgery went smoothly.
He said that Villagomez has been suffering from bradycardia, a condition characterized by slow or irregular heart rate, but reiterated that the official did not suffer a heart attack as reported earlier by a newspaper (not the Saipan Tribune).
“[The] vice chairman underwent surgery to implant the pacemaker. The procedure went smoothly with no complications. He is recovering in a regular room and is scheduled to return back to Saipan on Saturday,” Arriola said.
Arriola said Villagomez started feeling shortness of breath and dizziness Tuesday. Since the Tinian Health Center does not have the necessary equipment to diagnose the condition, Villagomez had to be transported to Saipan.
Arriola said Villagomez had to be transported to Guam on Wednesday after suffering episodes of irregular heart rate. A military helicopter rushed the MPLA official to Guam.
“The family [of Villagomez] would like to set the record straight. The vice chairman did not have a heart attack,” Arriola stressed. “There was nothing in particular that triggered his condition. He was alert and conscious every step of the way including the surgery. The vice chairman is fine and will fully recover from this incident.”
