Alex Zanardi in induced coma, remains 'serious but stable'
Doctors treating Alex Zanardi have given more details regarding the ‘serious but stable’ condition of the former F1 driver-turned-Paralympian, warning the ‘situation is critical in terms of brain damage’.
Zanardi was involved in an accident while riding his handbike in Italy on Friday afternoon, with reports suggesting he veered into the path of an incoming truck.
After being airlifted to Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital in Siena, Zanardi underwent a three-hour operation to have a ‘delicate neurosurgery operation’ to relieve a ‘severe cranial trauma’ performed. He has now been placed in a medically-induced coma.
Speaking with reporters on Saturday, doctors treating Zanardi have revealed the full extent of his injuries, saying it won’t be clear what his neurological state will be until he wakes, if he does so.
“The condition of Alex Zanardi is serious but stable,” Dr. Giuseppe Olivieri is quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “He arrived here with major facial cranial trauma, a smashed face, a deeply fractured frontal bone (forehead).”
“The numbers are good, although it remains a very serious situation.
“We won’t see what his neurological state is until he wakes up — if he wakes up. Serious condition means it’s a situation when someone could die. Improvement takes time in these cases. Turns for the worse can be sudden. The operation went according to the plan. It’s the initial situation that was very serious.”
“The next step is to try and stabilise him over the next week or 10 days. Then if things go well, he could eventually be woken up and re-evaluated.
“As I told his wife, he’s a patient who is worth being treated,” Olivieri added in reference to his chances to improve. “As far as a prognosis of how he’ll be tomorrow, in a week or in 15 days, I don’t know. But I’m convinced that he should be treated.”
“The situation is clearly critical in terms of brain damage,” added ICU director Sabino Scolletta.
This latest episode is the newest challenge for Zanardi in a career that has become a shining example of triumphing against adversity. Though three seasons of F1 racing with Lotus (1993, 1994) and Williams in 1999 only brought him fleeting success at international level, he did go on to clinch two CART open-wheel titles.
However, a freak high-speed accident during a 2001 CART race at the Lausitzring would see Zanardi suffer horrific injuries. Though they saved his life, his legs had to be amputated.
Despite this, Zanardi went on to rebuild his racing career with a successful stint in touring cars and sportscars using hand controls, before turning his attention to the Paralympics, where he has since become a four-time gold medal winner.
