Objective: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are uncommon complications with significant morbidity and mortality rates.
Methods: From 1988 to 1995, 36 GI complications were identified in 3158 patients who underwent cardiac surgery (1.14% incidence). The mortality rate was 13.9%. Complications included hemorrhage in the GI tract in 22, perforated ulcer in 3, acute cholecystitis in 3, pancreatitis in 2, mesenteric ischemia in 3, diverticulitis in 1 and liver failure in 2 patients.
Results: Clinical risk factors included advanced age, combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)-valve operation, postoperative low cardiac output (LCO), prolonged ventilation time, re-exploration of the chest, sternal infection and a positive history of peptic ulcer. Patients with a prolonged pump time had an increased risk of GI complications (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Gastrointestinal complications, although of low incidence, carry a significantly high mortality, and the clinician must be alert to institute early appropriate treatment.