After collapsing from a sudden cardiac arrest on Wednesday, rock star Shin Hae-chul remains in critical condition at the Seoul Asan Hospital’s intensive care unit after undergoing surgery.
According to representatives from the singer’s agency, KCA Entertainment, Shin’s three-hour operation to resuscitate his heart went well. However, it remains to be seen whether he can pull through.
“His blood pressure has returned to a safe level, but his pupils are unresponsive and he still remains unconscious,” a representative said. “Specialists are collaborating and doing all they can to minimize possible brain damage, and as per the state of his recovery, further observation is necessary.”
Shin Hae-chul. (KCA Entertainment)
The 46-year-old reportedly visited the hospital earlier this week after suffering from bouts of pain in his chest and was immediately hospitalized. It’s been said that doctors are still unsure what exactly caused Shin’s heart to stop, nor whether the singer will be able to make a full recovery despite treatment.
In 2009, Shin had a stomach operation at Seoul Sky Hospital as part of a diet plan and speculations have circulated that malpractice committed by the medical team that performed the surgery may be connected to the singer’s current heart problems. On Friday, Seoul Sky Hospital officials unequivocally denied any wrongdoing on the part of the hospital, claiming that the two events have no connection.
By Julie Jackson (
juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)
