PHILADELPHIA — Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, long one of the most powerful members of the state Legislature, was rushed to a hospital and underwent an emergency procedure after a heart attack Sunday night.

Fumo, 64, was having dinner at home, where he has been since having back surgery last month, when he had chest pains and shortness of breath shortly before 7 p.m., spokesman Gary Tuma said.

The senator was taken by ambulance to Hahnemann University Hospital, where doctors said he had a myocardial infarction and a blocked right coronary artery. Doctors did an emergency angioplasty and inserted a metal stent to restore normal blood flow, Tuma said.

"He is now chest pain-free, his EKG is looking much better, and his vital signs are stable," Dr. Dr. Daniel McCormick told reporters.

Fumo was awake and talking with family and friends at the hospital, Tuma said.

"I've seen him, he's doing OK at this moment," said his son, Vincent Fumo II.