Phila.'s Sen. Fumo suffers heart attack

State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo (D., Phila.) suffered a heart attack and was in critical condition at Hahnemann University Hospital last night.

The powerful longtime lawmaker was eating dinner at his Spring Garden home around 7 p.m. when he began having chest pains and shortness of breath, spokesman Gary Tuma said. Fumo traveled by ambulance to Hahnemann.

Doctors determined that Fumo, 64, had suffered a heart attack and that his right coronary artery was 100 percent blocked. Fumo has a history of heart trouble.

Cardiologist Daniel McCormick performed emergency coronary angioplasty - a procedure to open the blockage - and inserted a metal stent to restore normal blood flow, said Tuma, who added that the surgery went well.

Though he was listed in critical condition, Fumo was awake, stable and responsive, Tuma said. He spoke to family members who rushed to Hahnemann to be with him.

The senator will remain hospitalized for several days.

Fumo has had two back operations within the last four months. The most recent was late last month, when he underwent lumbar fusion surgery to correct a misalignment of vertebrae.

He also had back surgery in October. Tuma said Fumo was still at home recovering from the latest back surgery when he had the heart attack.

Fumo suffered his first heart attack in 1977, and he has been hospitalized for angina, which is chest pain due to a lack of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Fumo is in a four-way primary race for reelection to his First Senate District seat. He also faces trial later this year on federal charges that he misused Senate staff and two charities for personal and political gain.