VIA: CNN.com
Former President Clinton left a New York hospital early Friday, less than a day after doctors performed a procedure to restore blood flow in one of his coronary arteries.
Terry McAuliffe, a Clinton confidant and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, confirmed Clinton had left New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Columbia campus.
A statement from Douglas Band, adviser to Clinton, also confirmed the release, saying the former president expressed thanks to his doctors and “the many people who extended their best wishes to him for a quick recovery. He looks forward in the days ahead to getting back to the work of his foundation, and to Haiti relief and recovery efforts.”
Clinton has “no evidence of heart attack or damage to his heart,” and his prognosis is excellent after undergoing a procedure Thursday, according to Dr. Allan Schwartz, the hospital’s chief of cardiology.
Schwartz said the procedure was “part of the natural history” of Clinton’s treatment following his 2004 quadruple bypass surgery and “not a result of either his lifestyle or diet, both of which have been excellent.”
President Obama called Clinton on Thursday evening and wished him a speedy recovery so he can continue his work on Haiti and other humanitarian efforts, a senior administration official said.
A stent is a tubular scaffolding that is inserted into a blood vessel after it’s been cleared to keep it open.
Schwartz said Clinton was up and walking about two hours after the surgery.
Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea, and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, were with him at the hospital Thursday night, Schwartz said.
The secretary of state was scheduled to leave Friday on a planned trip to the Middle East, but her departure has been delayed until Saturday, a senior U.S. official said.
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