"Based on the results of his clinical examination, in agreement with the medical staff of his team, Sonny Colbrelli successfully underwent the implantation of a subcutaneous defibrillator (DSC) on Thursday", specifies the Bahrain-Victorious formation in a statement.
The reigning European champion, winner of the last Paris-Roubaix, lost consciousness after the arrival of the second stage of the Tour of Catalonia on March 21.
The joy of the Italian Sonny Colbrelli, winner of Paris-Roubaix ahead of the Belgian Florian Vermeersch and the Dutch Mathieu Van Der Poel, October 3, 2021 FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP / Archives
Rescued in emergency, he was first transported to the University Hospital of Gerona (Spain) before being repatriated on March 26 and admitted to the cardiology clinic of the University of Padua.
“In Padova, the runner underwent a complete clinical, genetic and imaging examination to identify the cause of the arrhythmia that led to his cardiac arrest and to determine the best appropriate treatment,” said Professor Domenico Corrado, who coordinated his treatment.
"The decision to implant this life-saving device was made in agreement with Colbrelli, who received a DSC. This device makes it possible to correct the heart rhythm if necessary in extreme cases", he adds in the press release.
Sonny Colbrelli, who is 31, will continue his recovery at home.
It is too early to determine the rest of his career.
His case is reminiscent of that of Danish footballer Christian Eriksen, who collapsed in the middle of a match, victim of a heart attack, during the Euro, last June.
He too had an internal defibrillator implanted.
He resumed the thread of his career at the start of the year, reconnecting with the Danish selection last week.
But in order to be able to play again, Eriksen had to terminate his contract with Inter Milan, his former club, this type of device being considered incompatible with the practice of football and sports that put a lot of strain on the cardiovascular system in Italy, to sign in Brentford, in the English championship, where this restriction is not applicable.
© 2022 AFP