Left breast necrosis following cardiac bypass surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Oncology
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common cardiac procedure.
• Breast cancer treatment may involve surgery and internal mammary artery use.
• Breast necrosis is a rare but serious complication.

Observation:

• A patient developed left breast necrosis post-CABG.
• The patient had a history of stage I breast carcinoma treated previously.
• This is the first reported case of breast necrosis following CABG.

Findings:

• Breast tumor extirpation and internal mammary artery utilization alone are insufficient to explain breast necrosis.
• A combination of factors likely contributes to vascular compromise in the breast.

Implications:

• Highlights the need for careful patient selection and risk assessment for CABG in patients with breast cancer history.
• Suggests further research into multifactorial causes of breast necrosis after cardiac surgery.
• Informs surgical planning to mitigate risks in patients undergoing both procedures.