[The abdominal emergency after heart surgery interventions]

In 4726 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in a 5-year period 15 major acute abdominal complications (0.3%) occurred, with an overall mortality rate of 47%--compared with a mortality rate of 3.2% for all patients undergoing heart surgery (p < 0.0001). Patients with combined cardiac operation (ACB and valve replacement) or those requiring an intraaortic balloon pump were more likely to develop abdominal complications; however, complications can not be predicted. The focus should be on early diagnosis and therapy, especially in acute mesenteric ischemia, in close cooperation between heart and general surgeons to improve prognosis.