As Muamba recovers, PL plans medical review

[March 20, 2012]  LONDON (AP) -- Fabrice Muamba's cardiac arrest during a match has prompted the English Premier League to see if any improvements can be made to medical tests for players and the treatment available during games.

The Bolton midfielder remains in a serious condition in intensive care, but he began breathing independently and speaking on Monday, two days after collapsing during an FA Cup quarterfinal at Tottenham.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said on Tuesday that "everyone comes out of this with huge credit," particularly the medics at Tottenham who raced onto the pitch to try to resuscitate the 23-year-old Muamba.

Even so, there will be a full review of the treatment available at White Hart Lane for Muamba and the medical checks that players receive.

"Incidents and events shape policy, shape developments, shape progress," Scudamore said. "We will look at every aspect ... if there are ways and means of making it better in the future. We will do everything we can to reduce to the point of elimination, if we possible can, things like that."

An ambulance was on hand Saturday at White Hart Lane following criticism in 2006 from then-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho about the time it took for an ambulance to reach Reading's ground after goalkeeper Peter Cech's head was seriously injured.

"It was a wake-up call, just things like having a dedicated ambulance for players and match officials," Scudamore told a Sport Industry breakfast in London.

For two days, amid an outpouring of support, Muamba remained in critical condition in intensive care in a heart attack unit in London, and his long-term prognosis was uncertain.

But the Congo-born player made progress throughout Monday, with doctors no longer describing his condition as "critical" by the evening.

"He is continuing to show signs of improvement this evening," Bolton and the London Chest Hospital said in a joint statement. "He is now able to breathe independently without the aid of a ventilator. He has also been able to recognize family members and respond to questions appropriately.

"These are all positive signs of progress. However, his condition remains serious and the medical staff in intensive care will continue to monitor and treat him."

[Associated Press; By ROB HARRIS]

Rob Harris can be reached at http://twitter.com/RobHarrisUK.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.