Rajinikanth undergoes dialysis, shifted to ICU

CHENNAI: Actor Rajinikanth's condition worsened on Wednesday with doctors putting him through dialysis at a Chennai hospital, two days after he underwent a procedure to drain fluid accumulated in his lungs. The Tamil superstar was also shifted to the hospital's intensive care unit from the private ward where he was being treated since Saturday. Doctors said they could not avoid or put off dialysis as the 61-year-old star's kidneys were not functioning normally. This was leading to increased fluid retention in his blood and a decrease in sodium and protein levels in the body. The cine idol was admitted to hospital after he complained of breathlessness. He was diagnosed and treated for pneumonia and kidney problems. Doctors had removed fluid surrounding his chest that was pressing the lungs, causing breathing difficulty on Monday. He was given oxygen intermittently. Doctors gave him antibiotics and transfused blood. "We decided to put him through haemodialysis. As of now, we don't know if he would require dialysis for life. We are hoping his kidneys will return to normalcy once his lower respiratory tract infection is cleared," said a doctor treating him. Doctors have also restricted the entry of visitors. Anxious fans crowding the hospital to learn about Rajini's condition were constantly assured that he was responding well to treatment. Rajini's fan clubs organized special prayers at temples across the country and provided free food to people. The actor's family refused to comment.