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Liver lacerations after coronary bypass operation
Ihab Abu Reish1, Amer Chaikhouni
1Department of Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Qatar Heart Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Insights
Gastrointestinal complications are rare after open-heart surgery. This case report details a rare liver laceration following coronary artery bypass grafting, emphasizing intra-abdominal bleeding as a potential cause of post-cardiac surgery hemorrhage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Gastrointestinal complications following open-heart surgery are infrequent but associated with increased mortality.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a common cardiac procedure.
- Prompt identification and management of complications are crucial for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A 57-year-old male patient developed liver laceration and intra-peritoneal hemorrhage post-CABG.
- The complication was attributed to chest tube insertion.
- The patient presented with decreased hemoglobin and hemodynamic instability.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention successfully controlled the intra-abdominal hemorrhage.
- The patient experienced a full recovery and was discharged home.
- This case highlights a rare but serious complication of cardiac surgery.
Implications:
- Intra-abdominal bleeding should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained bleeding after cardiac surgery.
- Awareness of this complication can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention.
- This case contributes to the understanding of rare post-operative complications in cardiac surgery.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal complications after open-heart surgery are rare but may increase mortality rate significantly. We are presenting a rare complication of liver laceration after coronary bypass operation. The patient is a 57-year-old man who underwent urgent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting operation (CABG). Liver laceration and free intra-peritoneal hemorrhage was discovered to be the result of chest tubes insertion, and resulted in drop of hemoglobin and hemodynamic instability. The hemorrhage was surgically controlled, and the patient made full recovery and was sent home. This case report emphasizes that when bleeding of unknown origin occurs after cardiac surgery, intra-abdominal bleeding should be considered.
