Penguins Star Player Undergoes Heart Surgery

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang underwent heart surgery, the team announced Wednesday.

The surgery was successful, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas said in a brief statement.

Letang had successful closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO; small hole in the heart). The procedure was performed at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital by interventional cardiologist Dr. Conrad Smith.

The expected recovery time is four to six weeks.

Letang, 37, has had serious health problems related to the heart condition. He has suffered two strokes in his career. The first one occurred in 2014, the second in November 2022.