“What is the most common complication after open heart surgery?”

The most common complication after open heart surgery is atrial fibrillation that can happen up to third of all patients undergoing open heart surgery. In most cases the atrial fibrillation is limited to few days or weeks and can be controlled with medications.

It really depends on the type of open heart surgery. In bypass surgery (CABG) the most common complications are fluid collections in the chest between the chest wall and lungs (pleural effusion) and a particular form of cardiac rhythm abnormality called atrial fibrillation. These are uncommon and CABG remains a very safe procedure for the correct candidate.

Major complications are not common nowadays as it was in the past. Today’s rates for major complications and death are around 2% for most of the patients in experienced hands. Actually there’s more risks with medical therapy and no therapy at all than with the surgery itself. Minor complications are also much less than in the past. The incisional pain is still a variable issue depending on patient’s tolerance, and usually responds well to oral analgesics and sometimes require anti inflammatory meds; swelling of the legs are common if there is poor compliance with the stockings and ambulation. Cardiac arrhythmias are common after heart surgery but are self limited and responds very well to medications. Other complications may be related to other medical conditions and/or organs dysfunction already present, that should be discussed clearly with your cardiac surgeon. If you are having an “open” heart surgery, you may have a valve repair/replacement and you should be in potent anticoagulants for a while. The best way to prevent complications with anticoagulants is to have frequent monitoring of your anticoagulation levels and a good communication with your surgeon. People call any surgery of the heart an “open heart surgery” but if you are getting a coronary bypass surgery your heart is not going to be opened and the only medication after surgery you should take for your bypasses is aspirin; simple, low risk, and effective. Remember that every patient is different and every case should be individualized by your doctors.

Pain

Open heart surgery has been the goal standard for significant coronary artery disease particularly in diabetes. The success rate is very high in a good trained hand and in a high volume facility. That been said, the issues that could arise after surgery while rare are bleeding, infection and stroke.

Postoperative arrhythmia

Irregular heartbeats