Doctor: Kirchner recovers well from artery surgery

(AP) — Former President Nestor Kirchner is recovering well from emergency surgery on an important artery feeding blood to his brain, one of his doctors said Monday.

Current President Cristina Fernandez, who is Kirchner's wife and his successor as president, also said her husband "is very well."

Doctors decided to operate Sunday after Kirchner had trouble moving his upper left arm earlier in the day, a symptom of problems in one of his carotid arteries, which carry blood to the brain.

Dr. Victor Caramutti, who operated on Kirchner, told the C5N news station Sunday night that he had removed plaque, a form of cholesterol that can narrow the artery and hinder the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain.

On Monday, Caramutti said he was very satisfied with Kirchner's health. "Happily, the operation could be done in a very satisfactory manner and recovery has been evident," the surgeon told radio 10.

Caramutti said that Kirchner, 59, could be released in 48 to 72 hours.

Kirchner, who was president in 2003-2007, is now a deputy in the national legislature's lower house and has all but declared his candidacy to stage a presidential run in hopes of succeeding his wife in 2011.