Doctors dispel rumours on Jayalalithaa's death, says cardiac arrest led to her demise

Dispelling rumours surrounding former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa's death, a group of doctors, including Dr Richard Beale, the consultant intensivist from the London Bridge Hospital, on Monday said that septicemia coupled with high diabetes and blood sugar caused her organs to fail.

"She had septicemia with uncontrolled diabetes as she had blood pressure and sugar, this disease spread rapidly in her body. The best of treatment was given to her in ICU with critical care. In medical science, whatever we could have done we did. Initially she was admitted with dehydration and fever, but after evaluation we found that the sugar in her body was uncontrollable and later she had a urinal infection where sepsis also increased," said one of the doctors in a press conference arranged by the Tamil Nadu government here.

Dr. Baele said her condition initially improved and was conscious and responding at most times.

"For a period of time she was treated with non invasive ventilation and her initial condition improved somewhat, she was certainly conscious and responding. And then unfortunately when the sepsis progressed and as she got more tired it was necessary for her to go on a ventilator. Then later in course as she improved she was more awake and usually interactive," he added.

When asked as to why no photographs of Jayaliathaa in hospital were released, Dr. Baele said, "It is absolutely not normal practice to photograph people who are critically ill in hospital of any patient and pusblish that sort of private and detailed information. It will be regarded and is regarded as an intrusion of confidentially and dignity."

When asked if Jayalalithaa was conscious at the time of signing election nominee papers for November 19 by-poll elections, the doctors said she was aware.

"Regarding the election paper, the thumb impression was attested by me and Dr. Babu. I read out the letter from the election commission to her and since her hand got swollen we made a thumb impression. She was conscious at that time," the doctors said.

Dr. Babu, one the of the doctors who were treating Jayalalithaa, also informed that a periodic briefing was given to current general secretary of the AIADMK, V.K. Sasikala on the former chief minister's death.

"We were briefing Sasikala on daily basis and also the government officials," he said.

When asked as to how her health suddenly deteriorated and led to a cardiac arrest despite giving assurances to the media and the people that her health was improving, Dr. Baele said, " Now why did that happen we don't know except we have a lady with more mature years having chronic diseases like hyper tension and debaters which makes you vulnerable to these things and with recovering sepsis and she had an infection on her heart, so unfortunately sudden heart attack or stroke or some other event like this tragically can happen and it did in this case."

Jayalalithaa passed away on December 5 after suffering a cardiac arrest and was buried with full state honours near the MGR Memorial in Chennai on December 6.