[Mesenteric traction syndrome during coronary artery bypass graft surgery]

Mesenteric traction syndrome (MTS) consists of decreased systemic vascular resistance, increased cardiac output, facial flushing and palmar erythema. Local production of PGI2 is thought to be the cause. We experienced a rare case of MTS that occurred during coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). A 64-year-old man was scheduled for CABG for the treatment of angina pectoris. Hemodynamic variables were stable until 50 minutes after surgical incision. Blood pressure fell down suddenly from 110/50 to 70/40 mmHg, accompanied by obvious facial flushing and palmar erythema, when the surgeons were preparing the right gastroepiploic artery. Hemodynamic changes and cutaneous hyperemia returned to the baseline level in about 40 minutes. After this episode, the operation was performed uneventfully. The time sequence between the onset of the surgical procedure and the hemodynamic and cutaneous findings strongly suggest the release of PGI2 and MTS. In patients undergoing CABG with the gastroepiploic artery graft, pretreatment with NSAID might avoid sudden circulatory changes of MTS.