Risks and Complications of Triple Bypass Surgery
One of the leading causes of deaths around the world is heart attacks and heart disease. On the other hand, a surgery can give people with heart disease a hope and a new lease on life. If a family member, a loved one or even you have blocked arteries, known as coronary heart disease, then you are certainly not alone. There are a lot of persons worldwide that is suffering from this heart condition, but fortunately, there is triple bypass surgery to correct it. The surgery is performed in people who suffer from severe blockage of more than one coronary artery. It is when a surgeon replaces three clogged coronary arteries with either artificial or donated ones.
There are certain risk and complications involved with a triple bypass surgery like any other type of surgery. Most likely, the risks are greater in older persons that in younger ones. And in some cases, women are more likely to have complications than men are. It will also vary according to the patient’s past medical conditions. Complications may either be immediate or long-termed.
For those who undergo bypass surgery, they need to be fully informed about all the possible risks connected to the surgical procedure. The surgery provides excellent results, however; they are not permanent since hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis has a tendency to re-occur particularly if the patient does not change its lifestyle, takes his medicines regularly and is engaged in regular physical activity.
Several risks are anticipated with any type of surgery. These are:
Bleeding
Hemorrhage or bleeding is a major complication after bypass surgery. Bleeding might occur due to the damage to a blood vessel at the site of the incision from the area of the heart in which the surgery is performed. If the patient has a history of abnormal bleeding or has a tendency to bleed, most likely, there are more chances of bleeding. In case of excess and uncontrolled bleeding, a blood transfusion may be needed.
Heart Attack or Stroke
There is a risk that a blood clot can break off and travel through the heart or through the bloodstream to the brain at the time when the blocked coronary arteries are being manipulated. These blood clots that travel into the heart may trigger a heart attack. On the other hand, blood clots that go into the brain can cause a stroke.
Acute Renal Failure
After a triple bypass surgery, acute renal failure is an unusual but potentially fatal complication. When it happens, it will affect all organ systems. It often accompanies sepsis due to acute tubular necrosis. Another factor that can contribute to gross renal shutdown includes longer cardiopulmonary bypass and cross clamp time. In the majority of cases, these patients are assigned to receiver early and intensive dialysis.
Sternal Wound Infection
The sternum is cut open in order to reach the heart during the surgical procedure. Since the wound is very large, there is a greater risk of wound infection. Moreover, since this wound is close to the heart and lungs, any type of infection has the possibility to affect the heart. The patient should strictly follow the doctor’s orders about dressing changes, compliance to your medications, and cleanliness during dressing changes should be of utmost importance.
Abnormal Heart Rate
The heart causes electrical signals to trigger the contractions which push blood through the heart and out into the body. Often after the surgery, these signals could become disorganized and cause the heart to beat more slowly, irregularly or very rapidly. These abnormal heartbeats often do not last long and cause little or no symptoms. This condition is very normal and usually revolves on its own.
Post-Pericardotomy Syndrome
It is a complication that occurs in about 15 percent of patients who have had some form of bypass surgery. It could appear days or weeks after surgery. Some kind of virus often triggers it. Some of its symptoms are low-grade fever, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle pain or chest pain. These symptoms often last for several weeks. Treatment includes rest and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
Share in Debbie Golightly’s journey as an open heart surgery survivor and follow her as she transforms unexpected challenges into triumphs. Allow her to walk with you as your advocate, encourager and friend. Visit http://www.survivingheartsurgery.com/ and become brave enough to embrace this gift of life.
There are certain risk and complications involved with a triple bypass surgery like any other type of surgery. Most likely, the risks are greater in older persons that in younger ones. And in some cases, women are more likely to have complications than men are. It will also vary according to the patient’s past medical conditions. Complications may either be immediate or long-termed.
For those who undergo bypass surgery, they need to be fully informed about all the possible risks connected to the surgical procedure. The surgery provides excellent results, however; they are not permanent since hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis has a tendency to re-occur particularly if the patient does not change its lifestyle, takes his medicines regularly and is engaged in regular physical activity.
Several risks are anticipated with any type of surgery. These are:
Bleeding
Hemorrhage or bleeding is a major complication after bypass surgery. Bleeding might occur due to the damage to a blood vessel at the site of the incision from the area of the heart in which the surgery is performed. If the patient has a history of abnormal bleeding or has a tendency to bleed, most likely, there are more chances of bleeding. In case of excess and uncontrolled bleeding, a blood transfusion may be needed.
Heart Attack or Stroke
There is a risk that a blood clot can break off and travel through the heart or through the bloodstream to the brain at the time when the blocked coronary arteries are being manipulated. These blood clots that travel into the heart may trigger a heart attack. On the other hand, blood clots that go into the brain can cause a stroke.
Acute Renal Failure
After a triple bypass surgery, acute renal failure is an unusual but potentially fatal complication. When it happens, it will affect all organ systems. It often accompanies sepsis due to acute tubular necrosis. Another factor that can contribute to gross renal shutdown includes longer cardiopulmonary bypass and cross clamp time. In the majority of cases, these patients are assigned to receiver early and intensive dialysis.
Sternal Wound Infection
The sternum is cut open in order to reach the heart during the surgical procedure. Since the wound is very large, there is a greater risk of wound infection. Moreover, since this wound is close to the heart and lungs, any type of infection has the possibility to affect the heart. The patient should strictly follow the doctor’s orders about dressing changes, compliance to your medications, and cleanliness during dressing changes should be of utmost importance.
Abnormal Heart Rate
The heart causes electrical signals to trigger the contractions which push blood through the heart and out into the body. Often after the surgery, these signals could become disorganized and cause the heart to beat more slowly, irregularly or very rapidly. These abnormal heartbeats often do not last long and cause little or no symptoms. This condition is very normal and usually revolves on its own.
Post-Pericardotomy Syndrome
It is a complication that occurs in about 15 percent of patients who have had some form of bypass surgery. It could appear days or weeks after surgery. Some kind of virus often triggers it. Some of its symptoms are low-grade fever, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle pain or chest pain. These symptoms often last for several weeks. Treatment includes rest and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
Share in Debbie Golightly’s journey as an open heart surgery survivor and follow her as she transforms unexpected challenges into triumphs. Allow her to walk with you as your advocate, encourager and friend. Visit http://www.survivingheartsurgery.com/ and become brave enough to embrace this gift of life.