Acute bowel ischemia after coronary bypass surgery--a catastrophic event

Acute bowel ischemia is a rare but often catastrophic event after coronary bypass surgery. We report three cases in our department and highlight the difficulty in making the diagnosis thus delaying timely intervention. We discuss why an aggressive approach in both investigating and managing this condition is warranted. We believe that early mesenteric angiogram and directed exploratory laparotomy are the preferred methods in managing this difficult condition.