Fabrice Muamba was 'dead' for 78 minutes
Posted Thursday, March 22, 2012 by The Sun
Hope ... Fabrice Muamba
STRICKEN star Fabrice Muamba was "in effect dead" for 78 MINUTES after he collapsed on the field from a cardiac arrest, his club doctor said today.
Bolton Wanderers medic Jonathan Tobin revealed it took 15 SHOCKS to get the 23-year-old's heart started after he collapsed on the pitch on Saturday.
He also told how docs worked on Muamba for 48 MINUTES between his collapse and arrival at the hospital.
And Dr Tobin described how it took another 30 MINUTES before his heart started beating again.
He said: "In effect, he was dead in that time."
The news came as it was revealed Bolton WILL take on Blackburn at home on Saturday.
Muamba remains in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during his side's FA Cup clash with Spurs.
Dr Tobin, who visited the player yesterday evening, said: "I'm glad to say that the early signs of recovery have continued. I went to see Fabrice last night. I went in and he said 'Hi, doc'.
"I asked him how he was and he said 'Fine'."
Dr Tobin said the player had asked him what had happened.
He said: "I explained to him what had happened. That's the sort of level of communication I have had with Fabrice."
Speaking at the hospital in Bethnal Green, East London, he told of his reaction when he first realised the player was in trouble.
He said all that was going through his head was "Oh my God, it's Fabrice".
Dr Tobin admitted he broke down in tears in the hospital corridor when the seriousness of what had happened to the player hit home — and added that he had feared the worst.
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Dr Andrew Deaner, the cardiologist and Tottenham fan who leapt from his seat in the crowd and rushed on to the pitch to help the player, said his recovery could be described as "miraculous".
He said: "If you're going to use the term miraculous, I guess it could be used here."
Dr Deaner went to visit the player after he had woken up and said that Muamba was able to make a joke even that early on into his recovery process.
He said: "I whispered into his ear 'What's your name?'"
The footballer gave his name.
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