Zanardi’s condition remains unchanged after fourth night in ICU

Ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi’s condition remains unchanged after spending his fourth night in intensive care.

Zanardi remains sedated, intubated and mechanically ventilated, while there has been no change in the 53-year-old Italian’s neurological condition.

The former-F1-driver-turned-Paralympian spent his fourth night in ICU at the Santa Maria all Scotte hospital in Siena following surgery for severe head injuries he sustained in a collision with a vehicle during a handbike race in Italy on Friday.

After undergoing three hours of nerosurgery and maxillofacial surgery, Zanardi was placed in a medically-induced coma.

In its latest medical update issued on Tuesday, the hospital said that any reduction in sedation to assess Zanardi’s nerological status will be considered starting next week.

“The patient spent the fourth night of hospitalisation in the intensive care unit of the Santa Maria alle Scotte polyclinic in Siena in conditions of stability in cardio-respiratory and metabolic parameters,” a hospital statement read.

“The neurological picture remains unchanged in its severity. The patient remains sedated, intubated and mechanically ventilated.

“Any reductions in sedo-analgesia, for the assessment of neurological status, will be considered starting next week. The prognosis remains confidential.”

On Tuesday doctors indicated that treatment options would be evaluated over the course of the coming days. 

The next update is expected to come on Wednesday June 24.

It marks 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.

After three difficult seasons in F1 with Lotus and Williams, Zanardi went on to claim two CART open-wheel titles before a freak high-speed accident during a 2001 CART race at the Lausitzring resulted in the Italian suffering horrific injuries which led to both his legs being 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.