Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has undergone successful heart surgery in an American hospital, his party said on Monday.
Berlusconi's Forza Italia issued a statement saying the centre-right opposition chief was operated on at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on Monday in order to "correct an irregular heartbeat".
It said doctors had confirmed that the operation was a "perfect success".
The surgery was carried out by top, Sicilian-born heart specialist Andrea Natale, who is based at the Cleveland Clinic.
The Italian press has been rife with speculation that 70-year-old Berlusconi would be fitted with a pacemaker while in the United States, where he arrived on Sunday.
Berlusconi's health has been in the spotlight since November 26, when he collapsed at a political rally.
The ex-premier, who made his political debut 12 years ago, fainted during an on-stage speech to young members of his Forza Italia party.
He came round almost immediately and the incident was attributed to stress, fatigue and lack of sleep - as well as the heat in the meeting hall.
But Berlusconi, who lost power to centre-left chief Romano Prodi in the April general election, spent three days in hospital afterwards having tests.
Doctors subsequently diagnosed an irregular heartbeat.
Corriere della Sera carried a report on Sunday saying that Berlusconi had asked US President George W. Bush for advice about US health centres.
'Get well' messages flooded in from politicians on both sides of the political divide on Monday.
Prodi sent a message saying: "Dear Silvio, I am happy to learn that the operation you have just had in the United States went well. I will be truly pleased to see you back in Italy as soon as possible, in fighting form as only a determined politician knows how to be".
Berlusconi's election defeat and health problems have fuelled speculation about the future leadership of the centre right, with many commentators arguing that the billionaire media magnate is getting too old for front-line politics.
Berlusconi himself triggered talk of his withdrawal from active politics shortly before his collapse.
He was quoted by a right-wing newspaper as saying during an informal dinner with friends: "Certainly we'll return to power but one thing I'll tell you right now, whatever happens, I won't be the one to lead the government. I've already done my bit and that's enough for me".
Forza Italia heavyweights immediately denied the report while Berlusconi said his comments had been misconstrued.
Nonetheless, Berlusconi has kept a low profile since the election.
Berlusconi, whose youthful image has been boosted by facelifts, sunlamps and a hair transplant, has had fainting spells in the past. He has always blamed them on working too hard and sleeping too little.
He has also successfully battled prostate cancer.
Berlusconi, Italy's richest man, served as premier for eight months in 1994 and then from 2001 to April 2006.
