Robertson's lead surgeon said he expected Robertson, 79, to make a full recovery from surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat, CBN officials said. Dr. Andy Kiser said Robertson underwent the 10-hour procedure to repair atrial fibrillation. In a separate but related procedure, doctors also removed an abnormally enlarged left appendage on Robertson's heart. They believe the growth contributed to his atrial fibrillation.

"Only the prayers of thousands of believing people kept me on this earth," said Robertson, who will ultimately be fitted with a heart monitor.

He said he expects to resume a full schedule in several weeks. CBN airs programs in nearly 100 languages in more than 225 countries. Its flagship program, The 700 Club talk show, reaches 1 million American households daily.

Earlier this year, CBN's board of directors appointed Gordon Robertson to succeed his father as CBN's chief executive officer, company officials said. Robertson also announced plans to retire next summer as president of Regent University, the private Christian college he founded in 1978. He will continue to serve as chancellor and on the board of trustees at the Virginia Beach school.

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