Major Complications of Cardiac Surgery

Complications after cardiac surgery may vary from very minor events that can be resolved without the need for pharmacological treatment to more serious episodes which can be life-threatening, require multiple interventions, delay patient’s discharge, and may lead to multiorgan failure or even death. The Society of Thoracic Surgery identifies five major postoperative complications: stroke, renal failure (defined as a threefold or greater rise in creatinine or new dialysis requirement), prolonged intubation (>24 h), unplanned reoperation, and deep sternal wound infection/mediastinitis.