A Retrospective Multicenter Experience: Does Packing the Surgical Field Help to Stop Bleeding After Cardiac Surgery

Authors

  • Ahmed Ahmed Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Ain Shams University, Faculty of Medicine, Egypt http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4748-6282
  • Ahmed Yehia Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Helwan University, Egypt
  • Ahmed Toema Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Helwan University, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1532/hsf.5323

Keywords:

Surgical field packing, Postoperative bleeding

Abstract

Background: Intractable bleeding after cardiac surgery is a well-documented complication. When conservative measures fail to control bleeding, re-exploration is required, and, in some cases, chest packing may be needed.

Methods: The study included 148 patients admitted to eight cardiac surgery centers in Egypt with severe postoperative bleeding. All patients underwent chest re-exploration and chest packing to control postoperative bleeding.

Results: The mean age was 62.7 ± 5.6 years. Their mean BMI was 27.1 ± 3.9 kg/m2. One-hundred-ten (74.3%) of included patients were hypertensive, while 49 (33.1%) patients were diabetic. Twenty-seven (18.2%) patients had initially had a triple valve replacement. Sepsis was prevalent among 31 (20.9%) of included patients. Twenty (13.5%) patients died.

Conclusion: Intractable bleeding is a well-documented complication following cardiac surgery. Chest re-exploration is required in certain situations when the traditional conservative options fail to stop bleeding. Chest packing is a modality that can be considered to control bleeding in certain situations.

References

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Published

2023-02-23

How to Cite

Ahmed, A., Yehia, A., & Toema, A. (2023). A Retrospective Multicenter Experience: Does Packing the Surgical Field Help to Stop Bleeding After Cardiac Surgery. The Heart Surgery Forum, 26(1), E105-E107. https://doi.org/10.1532/hsf.5323

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