Rao put on temporary pacemaker

Former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao was put on a temporary pacemaker after he experienced "severe disturbances" in heartbeat early on Saturday.

Also Read P V Narasimha Rao admitted to AIIMS, condition critical

"He again experienced severe disturbances in heart beat which required resuscitation. The heartbeat abnormalities were corrected with the insertion of a temporary pacemaker and circulatory assist device," an All India Institute of Medical Sciences spokesperson said.

Rao, 83, is at present "maintaining vital functions and is under intensive care with close monitoring by experts from several departments," the spokesperson said.

Rao was admitted to AIIMS on Friday after he complained of breathlessness and chest pain. He later suffered a heart attack.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Congress president Sonia Gandhi visited Rao on Friday.