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Published on: March 27, 2018
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting complicated by post-operative coronavirus infection - two similar presentations with
Alexis Redding1, Harideep Samanapally2, Mike O Udoh1
1University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.
Insights
This case series examines two patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and subsequently contracted COVID-19. It highlights varied outcomes and potential reasons for differences in post-operative COVID-19 infection following cardiac surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Patients undergoing surgical procedures, particularly urgent cardiac surgeries like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), face increased risks if diagnosed with COVID-19.
- Cardiac surgery patients often have comorbidities (age, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiac/pulmonary disease) that elevate their risk of severe COVID-19 infection and mortality.
Observation:
- This case series details the clinical course of two patients who developed COVID-19 post-operatively after undergoing CABG.
- Both patients presented with similar clinical symptoms following their cardiac surgery and subsequent COVID-19 diagnosis.
Findings:
- Despite similar presentations, the two patients experienced different outcomes after their post-operative COVID-19 infection.
- The study hypothesizes potential factors contributing to the divergent clinical trajectories observed in these cases.
Implications:
- Understanding the varied impact of COVID-19 on post-CABG patients is crucial for managing surgical risk during the pandemic.
- Further research into the factors influencing outcomes in these patients may inform clinical decision-making and improve patient care strategies.
Abstract:
Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection undergoing surgical procedures have been reported to have increased post-operative complications and mortality. These findings are important when considering cardiac surgical procedures, specifically coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during this pandemic, since the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) describes most of these operations as 'urgent'. In addition, the majority of cardiac surgical patients are at increased risk of infection and death with COVID-19, as they are frequently of old age, obese, hypertensive, and diabetic, with severe cardiac or pulmonary diseases. This case series describes the clinical course following a CABG procedure in two patients that went on to develop COVID-19 infection post-operatively. We aim to illustrate the similarities in clinical presentation, but differences in eventual outcomes for both patients and hypothesize the reasons for the differences.
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