Postoperative myocardial ischemia caused by chest tube compression of vein graft.
Here we report an unexpected and possibly overlooked cause of postoperative myocardial ischemia: a chest tube compressing a vein graft. After the position of the chest tube was adjusted, graft flow was reestablished, right ventricular contractility returned, and myocardial infarction was probably prevented. The literature on chest tube complications is briefly reviewed and experience from our institution is reported.
Svedjeholm
R
R
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Linköping Heart Center, University Hospital, Sweden. rolf.svedjeholm@thx.us.lio.se
Håkanson
E
E
D000368:Aged; D015505:Chest Tubes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation