Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa “continues to be very critical,” a day after suffering cardiac arrest, and is on various life support systems, Apollo Hospitals said today.

Jayalalithaa, who had a cardiac arrest last evening “continues to be very critical and is on ECMO and other life support systems,” Apollo Hospitals Chief Operating Officer Subbiah Viswanthan said in a statement.

“The Honourable Chief Minister is being treated and closely monitored by a team of experts,” he added.

68-year-old Jayalalithaa has been put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a heart assist device, and was under the watch of experts, including cardiologists.

The ailing Chief Minister had shown signs of improvement during the last few days before the setback yesterday.

Normal life unaffected in TN; prayers for Jaya’s recovery

Chennai:Normal life remained largely unaffected in Tamil Nadu with the state reporting no untoward incident after Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest, police said today.

Public transport like buses and train services plied as usual even as educational institutions remained open, police said, adding, no untoward incident has been reported.

Although the AIADMK government has not declared a holiday for educational institutions, some of them remained closed with the respective managements taking a decision in this regard.

Even where schools were open, poor attendance was reported. Although, government and aided schools functioned normally.

Commercial establishments, including petrol stations, many of which had closed last night following a setback in the Chief Minister’s health, largely remained open, police said.

Hotels and restaurants served customers as usual.

68-year-old Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration, and later treated for infection and respiratory problems.

Yesterday, she suffered a cardiac arrest. She has been put on extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a heart assist device, and is at present under the watch of experts, including cardiologists.

Meanwhile, AIADMK workers offered prayers in places of worship across the state for their leader’s speedy recovery.

PTI