Perioperative complications of cardiac surgery and postoperative care

Crit Care Clin. 2014 Jul;30(3):527-55. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2014.03.008.

Abstract

The care of the cardiac surgical patient postoperatively is fraught with several complications because of the nature of the surgical procedure itself and the common comorbidities of this patient population. Most complications occurring in the immediate postoperative period are categorized by organ system, and their pathophysiology is presented. Current diagnostic approaches and treatment options are offered. Preventive measures, where appropriate, are also included in the discussion.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Cardiac complications; Gastrointestinal complications; Hematologic complications; Infections; Neurological problems; Pulmonary complications; Vasoplegia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology
  • Acute Kidney Injury / therapy
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Comorbidity
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / therapy
  • Heart Diseases / epidemiology
  • Heart Diseases / surgery*
  • Hematologic Diseases / etiology
  • Hematologic Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / etiology
  • Lung Diseases / therapy
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / therapy
  • Postoperative Care / methods*
  • Postoperative Care / standards
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / therapy
  • Vasoplegia / etiology
  • Vasoplegia / therapy