According to Medline Plus, heart bypass surgery creates a new route, or a bypass, to make sure that blood and oxygen reach the heart. The procedure is usually done to treat coronary artery disease (CAD). With heart bypass surgery, the normal blood flow is restored. Although coronary bypass surgery helps reduce the risk of having a heart attack, it also has its own complications including heart attack or stroke, chest wound infection and post-pericardiotomy syndrome.
Heart Attack and Stroke
Heart attack or stroke are complications of heart bypass surgery. MedlinePlus explains that there is a possibility of a blood clot breaking loose immediately after this surgery is performed. If this happens, an individual may suffer a heart attack, which can result in death. An individual may also suffer a stroke as a complication of this surgery. MayoClinic.com states that arrhythmia, a condition in which the heartbeat becomes irregular is also a complication of coronary bypass surgery.
Chest Wound Infection
MedlinePlus states that chest wound infections may occur following bypass surgery. These infections are more likely to happen in people who have diabetes, who are obese or excessively overweight, or who have already undergone this surgery in the past. According to MayoClinic.com, bleeding from the wound may also occur following this surgery.
Post-Pericardiotomy Syndrome and Other Complications
Post-pericardiotomy syndrome is a complication of heart bypass surgery. This is a condition in which the individual experiences low-grade fever accompanied with pain in the chest. This pain and fever can last up to six months after the surgery. According to MedlinePlus, patients may also experience problems in thinking clearly and may have memory loss following the surgery. However, this usually goes away within six to 12 months. MedlinePlus also notes that there are certain risks involved in any surgery, which are involved with heart bypass surgery, as well. These risks include blood clots in the legs that travel to the lungs, difficulties in breathing, and infection of the lungs, urinary tract, and chest. MayoClinic.com states that kidney disease is another complication of coronary bypass surgery.
