Cassano, a successful heart surgery

Antonio Cassano has been operated successfully on Friday suffering malformation in the heart. The operation lasted about half an hour and was performed under local anesthesia. Cassano will undergo further testing in the coming hours and if the results are positive may be discharged on Saturday and Sunday.

The cause of the operation was what is called a patent foramen ovale (PFO), ie, a hole that separates the right atrium from the left and that normally closes after birth.

Cassano has been operated by Dr. Mario Carminati, head of cardiology at birth defects and one of the greatest experts in the field, which came to close that hole.

For now, doctors have not given a precise recovery time for the player, although Milan vice president Adriano Galliani, advanced on Wednesday that Cassano will need between 5 and 6 months.

"The doctors say they need several months, both for healing but to continue the practice. Do not want to anticipate anything, but possibly within 4 to 5 or 6 months Cassano might be able to play again," said Galliani who was convinced that the Bari able to resume his footballing activity.