Retrospective case series of 18 patients with mesenteric ischaemia post cardiac surgery in a regional cardiothoracic surgical centre

摘要

Mesenteric ischaemia following cardiothoracic surgery is a rare complication, but carries a high mortality rate. With vague abdominal pain being the earliest clinical sign elicited from patients with mesenteric ischaemia, it can be challenging to identify post cardiac surgical patients with this complication. Early identification of factors prior to surgery is therefore crucial in determining the prognosis of patients who are at a higher risk of developing mesenteric ischemia after cardiac operations. Pre-operative, operative and post-operative risk factors had been analysed in patients who have developed mesenteric ischaemia in the regional cardiothoracic surgical centre between April 1998 and August 2009. The NYHA grading of II and above, angina of grade II and above, triple vessel disease, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia and being overweight (BMI more than 25) have all been identified as factors contributing to the development of mesenteric ischaemia.