Looking after the cardiac surgery patient: pitfalls and strategies.

Evans, B.; Haqzad Y.

Looking after the cardiac surgery patient: pitfalls and strategies.

All Authors

Evans, B.

Haqzad Y.

LTHT Author

Evans, Betsy
Haqzad, Yama

LTHT Department

Cardio-Respiratory
Cardiac Surgery

Publication Date

2024

Item Type

Review

Abstract

Crude mortality from cardiac surgery has been falling from 4.0% to 2.9% over the last two decades; effective postoperative management by a multidisciplinary team is crucial for successful outcomes. Cardiac surgery like other specialties have adapted successfully to changing patient demographics and demands. Despite operating on more complex elderly patients with higher risk profiles, more patients survive cardiac surgery. Management of these patients is complex due to numerous factors: the operation being performed on the heart and pathophysiology of the disease and the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Standard operating procedures (SOPS) are in place for many scenarios, familiarity of postoperative recovery pathway and invasive monitoring help identify deteriorating patients. However, awareness of complications such as bleeding, arrhythmias, low cardiac output state and cardiac tamponade is paramount to prevent these complications becoming fatal. In this article we provide an overview of postoperative management strategies for cardiac surgical patients and how to help avoid these pitfalls.