Clinton back home after heart surgery

Terry McAuliffe said Mr Clinton left New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan and headed to his home in Chappaqua, about 35 miles north of New York City.

"If I know President Clinton, he'll be on the phone, calling people, asking for more help for Haiti and where he can get pick-up trucks so they can deliver food or generators. If I know Bill Clinton, he'll be raring to go in about 35 minutes," said Mr McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman.

Mr Clinton could be back at work as soon as Monday, cardiologist Allan Schwartz has said.

The former President, 63, had quadruple bypass surgery at the same hospital more than five years ago, and returned on Thursday to have a clogged heart artery opened after suffering discomfort in his chest.

Two stents were placed inside the artery as part of a common medical procedure for people with severe heart disease.

Mr Schwartz said tests showed that one of the bypasses from the surgery was completely blocked.

Instead of trying to open the blockage, doctors reopened one of his original blocked arteries and inserted the stents. The procedure took about an hour, and Mr Clinton was able to get up two hours later, Mr Schwartz said.

There was no sign the former President had suffered a heart attack, and the new blockage was not a result of his diet.

Mr Schwartz said the procedure went "very smoothly" and described his patient's prognosis as excellent.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travelled from Washington to New York to be with her husband, but aides said she still plans to go ahead with a previously scheduled trip to the Persian Gulf.

Their daughter Chelsea was also with him at the hospital.

The former president has been working in recent weeks to help relief efforts in Haiti. Since leaving office, he has maintained a busy schedule working on humanitarian projects through his foundation.

Mr McAuliffe said Mr Clinton took part in a conference call on earthquake relief as he was being wheeled into the operating theatre.