Randy Travis Remains in Critical Condition
Randy Travis remains in critical condition at a Texas hospital, but his publicist has denied reports that the singer has undergone heart surgery.
Randy Travis remains in critical condition at a Texas hospital, but his publicist has denied reports that the singer has undergone heart surgery.
“Contrary to reports, Randy Travis has not undergone heart surgery,” his rep said in a new statement. “Travis is being treated for viral cardiomyopathy. Travis was admitted into a Texas hospital on Sunday and underwent placement of an IMPELLA peripheral left ventricular assist device for stabilization prior to transferring hospitals.”
Earlier, a relative of Travis told People that they were “told he has had surgery.” (Multiple sites, including Billboard, reported on the family comment.)
Via the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center at UC San Diego: “The Impella device is a tiny pump that is inserted with a catheter through the groin rather than being surgically implanted. It can be used temporarily to help patients tolerate procedures such as angioplasty by relieving the heart’s pumping function and providing the time needed to perform life-saving procedures.”
Viral cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle caused by a virus. The singer’s hospitalization was announced in a press release on Monday. It said Travis was listed in “critical condition” and that the heart condition was “recently acquired.”
According to the Cardiomyopathy Association, the condition is not curable but is normally able to be treated, with most individuals going on to lead full lives.
After a series of personal setbacks in 2012 that included two alcohol-related arrests, Travis has focused on music this year, having collaborated with the Nashville Symphony in March and the Avett Brothers in April. On his website, the singer has a full slate of tour dates throughout the U.S. and Canada beginning July 10 and extending until late October.
The North Carolina native, 54, burst upon the scene in 1986, and quickly became one of the hottest country performers of his day, inspiring a generation with his back-to-basics traditional style. Albums such as his debut disc, 1986’s “Storms of Life” helped to make him a superstar in the latter part of the 1980s and a frequent award show favorite. In all he has released over 20 studio albums.
His string of No. 1 tracks include “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Honky Tonk Moon,” and “Too Gone Too Long.” His latest chart-topper came in 2002 with “Three Wooden Crosses.”