The statement on Knievel's site ( www.evelknievel.com) says the operation was "completed successfully" and "the next few days are critical" in determining how he will accept the transplant.

CNN: Showbuzz

Surgeons have successfully completed a heart bypass operation on a patient who was left awake throughout.

BBC: Heart bypass - with local anaesthetic

Surgeons in the United States announced in July this year that they had successfully completed a heart bypass operation on a patient who was left awake throughout.

BBC: heart op

The first of two relief wells being drilled to permanently cap the well is seven days ahead of schedule, but officials said on Tuesday that it was still likely to be mid-August before the operation could be completed.

BBC: Gulf oil spill reaches Texas as tar balls wash ashore

Due to concerns over the significant risk posed to members of the public, the loch was closed and access prohibited until a major clean-up operation had been completed.

BBC: Castle Semple Loch, Lochwinnoch

The operation has been completed four months ahead of the original target for the defuelling which was set at June this year.

BBC: Chapelcross nuclear plant sees final fuel rods removed

The undertaking, named "Operation McCall" by Pentagon officials, was in the planning stages for months and was completed Saturday after the material had been in transit for weeks, according to Whitman.

CNN: 500 tons of uranium shipped from Iraq, Pentagon says