The coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself, and coronary artery disease or a heart attack can block the natural flow of blood to the heart. A coronary artery bypass graft, also called a CABG or heart bypass surgery, uses veins from other locations in the body--such as the leg or arm--to make new routes for the blood to get to the heart. To perform the operation, a surgeon makes an incision down the center of the chest and opens the ribcage to access the heart. Complications may arise following the procedure and generally depend on the health of the individual before the surgery.
Bleeding
All surgical operations have a risk of bleeding as a potential complication. Having a coronary artery bypass also carries the risk of bleeding, especially due to the location of the procedure. Leaking can occur from the newly attached vessels in the heart.
Heart Attack
Some individuals may experience a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, during the coronary artery bypass or shortly thereafter. Individuals with a previous heart attack have a higher risk of experiencing another one during this procedure. Individuals with relatively healthy hearts and no prior infarctions have less than a 5 percent chance of having a heart attack during the operation, according to the Merck Manual of Health Information.
Stroke
The surgeon places the heart and lungs on a bypass machine during the procedure, and the entire operation takes several hours to complete. Both of these situations create conditions for a stroke. A lack of oxygenated blood to the brain or a blood clot that forms during the surgery may cause an individual to experience a stroke.
Infection
Postoperative infections of the surgical incisions may occur. Individuals with diabetes, who are obese or who have had the same surgery may have a higher likelihood of a chest incision infection, according to MedlinePlus. Signs and symptoms of an infection include discharge from the incision, a fever, reddened skin around the wound and increased pain. All signs of an infection require evaluation by a physician.
Kidney Failure
As the body circulates the blood during a coronary artery bypass, the level of oxygen-rich blood circulating in the body may dip below normal amounts. With a decrease in blood, the body naturally shunts blood from areas of the body that require less oxygen and send it to vital organs. The kidneys are the first organs to begin to suffer from this blood shift. With a decrease in blood flow, the kidneys experience damage and decrease urine output. Individuals with a previous history of kidney dysfunction have a higher risk of this complication.
Heart Arrhythmia
Some individuals experience an abnormal heart rhythm following a coronary artery bypass. Treating the arrhythmia with medication or additional medical procedures may help this condition.
Post-Pericardiotomy Syndrome
A condition referred to as post-pericardiotomy syndrome may occur following the surgery. Individuals suffering from this syndrome experience chest pain and a low-grade fever that may last for six months following the initial procedure, according to MedlinePlus.
Memory Loss
Temporary memory loss or foggy thinking may occur after the surgery. The symptoms may last for up to a year following a coronary artery bypass.
