Heart bypass surgery is primarily used to treat coronary artery disease, a condition that occurs when the arteries that supply oxygen and blood to the heart narrow and harden, according to MedlinePlus. When a person has heart bypass surgery, a surgeon creates an alternate route for oxygen and blood to reach the heart by taking a vein from the leg, chest or wrist and attaching it to an artery in the heart. Complications can arise, so it is important to know the risks that can occur following the procedure.
Arrhythmia
A serious complication associated with postoperative bypass surgery is arrhythmia, according to the Better Health Channel website. Arrhythmia is an irregular heart rhythm that is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart. Following heart bypass surgery, some people may experience an abnormally fast, slow or irregular heartbeat as their heart heals from the surgery, according to the website, Kids Health. When the heart beats erratically, the muscles in the heart pump at a faster and harder rate so that oxygen and blood can reach the heart. Common symptoms of arrhythmia include fatigue, dizziness and/or chest pain.
Pleural Effusion
Some people may experience pleural effusion when fluid accumulates in their lungs following heart bypass surgery, according to the Better Health Channel website. Pleural effusion occurs when fluid collects between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity. The two types of pleural effusion that can occur following bypass surgery are transudative pleural effusions and exudative effusions. A transudative pleural effusion arises when a low protein level or elevated blood pressure causes fluid to leak into the pleura, the tissue that lines the lungs and chest, while an exudative effusion develops when the pleura becomes irritated or inflamed as a result of leaky blood vessels, according to MedlinePlus. Common symptoms of pleural effusion are chest pain, cough, fever, hiccups, rapid breathing and loss of breath.
Thrombosis
A serious complication associated with post-operative heart bypass surgery is thrombosis. People can develop thrombosis when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel following heart bypass surgery. Thrombosis can occur when a blood clot blocks a vein or artery and prevents blood from flowing to the heart, according to the website, NHS Choices. The two main types of thrombosis are venous thrombosis, which occurs when a blood clot forms in the vein and arterial thrombosis, which arises when a blood clot forms in the artery. Blood clots usually originate in the deep veins located in the leg, but they can occur in any veins or arteries in the body, according to the MayoClinic.com. Sometimes, a blood clot can loosen from its primary location and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs or heart. Common symptoms of thrombosis include pain, redness and swelling at the surgical site, itchiness and achiness where the blood clot is lodged, a mild fever and visible veins in the affected area.
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