Bahrain - Victorious'
Sonny Colbrelli has undergone an operation to implant a subcutaneous defibrillator this past Thursday which has taken him towards the path of recovery from the incident which almost cost him his life after the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya.
Professor Domenico Corrado, of the Genetic Cardiomyopathy and Sports Cardiology Unit of the Padova University hospital said regarding the European Champion's testing process ever since returning to Italy after his lenghty stay in the Girona University hospital: “In Padova, the athlete underwent comprehensive clinical, genetic and imaging evaluation to identify the cause of the arrhythmia that led to cardiac arrest and the most appropriate therapy."
This has came after Colbrelli was diagnoses with a unstable cardiac arrhythmia which may spark further problems in the future. The Italian suffered a cardiac arrest after finishing second in the first day of the Spanish stage-race, and was luckily assisted immediately by the race's medical staff which have been crucial to his stabilization.
“The device works to correct the rhythm of the heart if it’s needed in extreme cases... The decision to implant a life-saving device has been shared by Colbrelli who received a subcutaneous ICD," he concluded. It is unsure when or if Sonny Colbrelli will return to competitive cycling, however the surgery he has just undergone reassures his chances of recovery in case he was to have more cardiac issues in the future.