In coronary artery disease, the blood vessels are usually obstructed with plaque, which is composed mainly of fats and cholesterol. The American Heart Association states that heart bypass surgery is performed in coronary artery disease to help provide an alternate pathway for oxygen-rich blood flow. By increasing the blood supply to the heart, surgeons can reduce the possible risk of a heart attack. Medline Plus reports that several complications can arise from undergoing heart bypass surgery.
Chest Wound Infection
A chest wound infection can be a complication of heart bypass surgery. This infection is due to the invasive nature of the surgical process in which the chest wall is opened. Medline Plus further states that this complication is more commonly seen in obese people or in people who have previously had the surgery, although the reason for these associations remains unknown.
Irregular Heartbeat
An irregular heartbeat can present in a patient who has had heart bypass surgery, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. A medical term for this condition is arrhythmia. The heart may beat too fast or too slow, which can result in insufficient blood flow and oxygen to the heart. This complication can be deadly.
Blood Loss
According to Medline Plus, extensive blood loss is a risk that may occur after heart bypass surgery. This complication can happen when a blood vessel is cut or severed, resulting in heavy bleeding also known as a hematoma. Patients often require a blood transfusion to treat blood loss and avoid shock, which can be fatal.
Blood Clots
During recovery, a patient who undergoes heart bypass surgery usually remains in an immobilized position in a hospital bed. Immobilization affects blood flow and can cause it to stagnate, a situation known as blood stasis. As a result, blood clots can form on the lining of the walls of the blood vessels, a condition called deep vein thrombosis. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute indicates that blood clots can occur as a complication of heart bypass surgery. These clots can get large, break away from the vessel wall and travel to the lungs, causing the patient to experience shortness of breath and possibly death.
