Rep. Scott Ogan’s condition improves slightly

by The Associated Press

Rep. Scott Ogan’s condition has improved slightly, although he remains critically ill four days after suffering a severe heart attack.

Ogan’s vital signs have improved and an intra-aortic balloon pump that had been helping his heart function more easily was removed March 19, said Linda Hay, an aide to the Palmer Republican. Ogan is “holding his own” without the pump, she said.

Ogan suffered a heart attack at his home in Palmer March 16. He is in the coronary care unit at Providence Alaska Medical Center. He is conscious, although he is being kept sedated, Hay said.

The next step will be to gradually remove a respirator, Hay said, but she did not know when that would happen.

“These are all positive signs that he is moving in the right direction,” Hay said. “Things are still not at the point of having an accurate damage assessment or plan of action.”

Ogan is head of the House Oil and Gas Committee, vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee, a member of the Legislative Council, a member of the House Transportation Committee and a member of a Joint Committee on Natural Gas Pipelines.

Rep. Hugh Fate, R-Fairbanks, will take over the Oil and Gas Committee, Hay said.