Cardiac surgery is performed for many reasons, including repairing the heart valves, bypassing the narrowed arteries, implanting devices for regulating heart rhythms, or boosting the heart's pumping power. According to a 2000 study published in "Annals of Internal Medicine," out of 2035 cardiac surgery patients, 130 experienced complications.
Heart Attack
Heart attack is characterized by sudden, severe abnormal heart function. This occurs mainly as a result of blocked blood vessels in the heart, as well as stress experienced by the patient during surgery. The blockage causes a decreased oxygen supply to the heart muscle, which ultimately leads to a heart attack.
Bleeding
Bleeding is often a result of using heparin, a blood thinner, during the surgical procedure. Bleeding may also occur at suture lines as well as on the heart itself. Minimal bleeding can be controlled easily with medication and bandages. However, severe bleeding can be life-threatening and often requires additional surgery to repair damaged blood vessels.
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias, or irregularities in the heart rhythm, occur due to improper functioning of the electrical impulses responsible for controlling the heartbeats. These can interfere with the pumping ability of the heart and may even cause the heart to stop beating completely. Arrhythmia tends to be more severe in persons suffering from an electrolyte imbalance, such as low potassium levels.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis, an inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart, may develop in patients following cardiac surgery. Pericarditis is more likely to occur after a heart attack and can result in an audible scratchy rhythmic sound, heard using a stethoscope. Pericarditis may also result in fever; pericardial effusion, which is the presence of extra fluid between the pericardium membranes; pleurisy, which is the inflammation of lung membranes; pleural effusion, the presence of extra fluid between pleural membranes; and joint pain.
References
- MedlinePlus: Heart Surgery
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Predicting Risks for Cardiac Complications of Surgery; K Gilbert et al; 5 September, 2000
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Acute Coronary Syndromes (Heart Attack; Myocardial Infarction; Unstable Angina)
- MayoClinic.com: Coronary Bypass Surgery
