Rapid diagnostics and treatment of early complications after CABG surgery: a life saver

Heart Surg Forum. 2013 Dec;16(6):E346-50. doi: 10.1532/HSF98.2013244.

Abstract

Early graft failure after CABG surgery may lead to severe adverse events and death. Because the cause of the graft failure can vary, rapid diagnostic management is mandatory in order to address these complications appropriately. In the present 2 cases, patients who underwent CABG procedures showed typical electrocardiograms and serology of a perioperative myocardial ischemia shortly after surgery. In the first case, a rapidly performed coronary angiogram revealed a torqued right CABG, which was detorqued and, in order to avoid further torsion, fixated to the pericardium in a redo procedure. In the second case, the patient underwent a revascularization by means of percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation for severe stenosis due to a localized dissection of the vein graft, diagnosed on coronary angiogram. The further postoperative course of both patients was smooth and both could be discharged on day 8 and 11 after initial surgery, respectively.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ajmaline / therapeutic use*
  • Amiodarone / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / drug therapy*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / etiology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Ajmaline
  • Amiodarone