Vajpayee on minimal ventilator support, breathing on his own

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is being treated for a chest infection, is on minimal ventilator support and is 'breathing on his own', say doctors attending on the octogenarian leader.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is being treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for a chest infection, is on minimal ventilator support and is "breathing on his own", doctors attending on the octogenarian leader said on Saturday.

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Hospital medical superintendent DK Sharma said the senior leader's vital parameters like blood pressure level, liver and kidney functions are normal.

"His chest infection has also become better," Sharma added.

Vajpayee underwent tracheotomy surgery Friday and is still in the ICU.

"He underwent tracheotomy for smoother airway management and is now breathing on his own with minimal ventilator support. However, he is still being kept in the ICU," said Sharma.

Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure in the neck to open a direct airway through an incision in the trachea or windpipe.

The 84-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was admitted to the hospital after he complained of difficulty in breathing Feb 3. He was put on mechanical ventilation last Friday.