Dick Cheney has heart surgery

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney announced in a statement Wednesday he had a new device installed in a heart surgery last week.

Cheney, who had a history of heart disease, said it became clear that he was entering a new phase of heart disease when he began to "experience increasing congestive heart failure."

"After a series of recent tests and discussions with my doctors, I decided to take advantage of one of the new technologies available and have a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implanted," he said in the statement.

The LVAD is a small implantable pump that "improves heart function" and will enable Cheney to resume an active life, according to the statement. The operation went well and Cheney is now recuperating.

Cheney has suffered five heart attacks in 32 years. He served as VP under former President George W. Bush, and was seen as playing a big role in launching the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Source: Xinhua