By April MacIntyre Mar 24, 2009, 2:33 GMT
Actor and comic Robin Williams "successfully underwent heart surgery at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic," his publicists announced Monday.
Actor and comic Robin Williams "successfully underwent heart surgery at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic," his publicists announced Monday. © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
In a statement from publicists Mara Buxbaum and Chris Kanarick, Williams reportedly is expected to make a complete recovery in the next eight weeks.
The procedure, which took 3½ hours, "was conducted to replace his aortic valve, repair his mitral valve and correct his irregular heartbeat," said Dr. A. Marc Gillinov, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. "A couple of hours after surgery, he was entertaining the medical team and making us all laugh."
Williams was initially treated at the University of Miami Hospital before being transferred to Cleveland.
Williams, 57, was performing in Florida earlier this month when shortness of breath sent him to the doctors.
He is expected to resume his 80-city itinerary in the fall, says Buxbaum, who quotes Williams as saying, "I'm thinking the next leg of the tour will be Weapons of Self-Destruction and Reconstruction!"
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