Zanardi to be brought out of medically induced coma

Alex Zanardi is set to be gradually brought out of his medically induced coma to allow his doctors to assess the full extent of the head injuries suffered by the Italian in a handbike accident last month.

Since he was admitted to the Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital near Siena on June 19th, Zanardi has undergone several surgeries to reduce the head and facial injuries sustained by the 53-year-old driver on an open road during a national handbike event.

• Zanardi still in induced coma after third neurological surgery

"The progressive reduction of sedo-analgesia has been started," the hospital said in a health bulletin released on Thursday.

"Following the reduction of sedation, it will take a few days for further evaluations on the patient by the multidisciplinary team that takes care of the athlete, to allow any continuation of his therapeutic and rehabilitative path.

"Currently, the cardio-respiratory and metabolic parameters remain stable. The neurological picture remains serious."

Zanardi's doctors are expected to release further news next week on the prospects of the former F1 driver and two-time CART champion.

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