[Successful conservative therapy of chylopericardium after coronary artery by-pass grafting].
Chylopericardium after thoracic duct injury is a rare but serious complication of thoracic surgery with mortality rates above 50% without intervention. Complications of chylopericardium are malnutrition, immunosuppression, electrolyte derangement and tamponade. This case describes a 67-year-old male who developed chylopericardium after coronary artery by-pass grafting and was successfully treated with conservative therapy consisting of pericardiocentesis and a low fat diet. If conservative therapy fails, thoracic surgery is almost always effective.
Hjertemedicinsk Afdeling, Sygehus Lillebælt, Vejle Sygehus, 7100 Vejle, Denmark. Jesper@holmbaeck.com
Jesper
J
Holmbæck Clausen
Karsten Tange
KT
Veien
D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D020519:Pericardiocentesis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy