Bret Michaels undergoing heart surgery

Bret Michaels is undergoing heart surgery in Phoenix where doctors will repair a hole in his heart that has been there since birth.

Surgeons at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center are performing a cardiac catheterization, which would stop blood from abnormally flowing between two chambers in his heart. The procedure requires inserting a scope in the groin area and guiding a closure device to repair his heart. Without the procedure, Michaels, 47, would have a higher risk of developing blood clots and suffering from another stroke.

The hole was discovered when the former Poison frontman was recovering from a brain hemorrhage last April, 10 days after an emergency appendectomy.

"Barring any complications, I should be out within three to four days," he told The Arizona Republic. "Then, I will be down [resting] for three weeks. I don't know if I can sit around for that long, but I'll try my best."

The cowboy-hat-and-bandanna-clad rocker auctioned off his 1969 Camaro Custom Coupe for $200,000 in Scottsdale, Ariz., over the weekend and donated a portion of the proceeds to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

He won the third cycle of "The Celebrity Apprentice 3" and recently asked his longtime girlfriend Kristi Gibson to marry him.

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-- Nardine Saad

Photo: Rocker and Reality TV personality Bret Michaels arrives for a taping of "The Late Show with David Letterman" in New York last July. Credit: Charles Sykes / Associated Press

Comments

[Sharen]

Bret,
You're in our thoughts and prayers. We have faith that you will make a full recovery, just as you have with all of the other difficult challenges you have triumphed over. You have made a difference to millions, not only with your amazing music, but also your significant contribution to diabetes research, support and finding a cure. The world is a much better place because you are in it. We're looking forward to you continuing to Rock On and seeing you again at your next concert tour.
Sharen and Lee Van Fossen, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

[niki]

Looks like he has an ASD..atrial septal defect. They do wonders in the cath-lab instead of having to have his chest cracked open and the defect repaired under direct vision. You also have to go on cardio-pulmonary by-pass for that. If they can do a good job in the cath-lab....go for it! Best of luck to you dude.