Heart Bypass Surgery

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Heart Bypass Surgery: Risks

When considering the risks of CABG, it is important to remember that bypass surgery has been performed for more than 30 years. Cardiovascular surgeons have received extensive training in bypass techniques.

It is the most frequently performed major surgery in the United States, with over a half of a million done each year. As with any surgery, the health of the patient prior to surgery is a major consideration in determining risks.

Health conditions that should be considered prior to surgery are:

• Age -- patients over 70 years old are at a slightly higher risk for complications
• Gender -- women have a slightly higher risk
• Previous heart surgery -- puts a person at a higher risk
• Having another serious medical condition (such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, kidney disease, or lung disease)

Possible risks in having a CABG are:

• Heart attack, which occurs in 5% of these surgeries.
• Stroke, which occurs in 5% of these surgeries (the risk is greatest in those over 70 years old).
• Blood clots.
• Death, which occurs in 1-2% of those who have the surgery. That means that 95-98% have no serious complications.
• Sternal wound infection occurs in 1-4% of these surgeries. This complication is most often associated with obesity, diabetes, or having had a previous CABG.

In about 30% of patients, "post-pericardiotomy syndrome" can occur anywhere from a few days to 6 months after surgery. The symptoms of this syndrome are fever and chest pain. This condition can be treated with medications.

The incision in the chest or the graft site (if the graft was from the leg or arm) can be itchy, sore, numb, or bruised.

Some people report memory loss and loss of mental clarity or "fuzzy thinking" following CABG.

As with all surgeries, there is a risk for heavy bleeding. In case a transfusion is needed during or after surgery, ask your doctor about making arrangements for an "autologous" pre-operative blood donation (banking your own blood for surgery).

You may also have family or friends with a compatible blood type donate blood for your surgery. The hospital, Red Cross, or local blood bank can provide family members and friends with necessary information about blood donation for your surgery.

There are general risks from anesthesia. These include reactions to medications and problems breathing.