Korean J Med.  2004 Mar;66(3):317-320.

A case of acute mesenteric infarction following coronary artery bypass graft

• Moon YW
• Kim JH
• Kang WC
• Park BE
• Ko YG
• Choi DH
• Yu KJ

Abstract

Acute mesenteric ischemia leading to massive bowel infarction following cardiac surgery particularly coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), is reported to be a very rare but serious life-threatening complication. In this case, a 55-year-old female underwent CABG and complained of abdominal pain on the first postoperative day, which was thought to be nonspecifically related to the operation wound. In the further hospital course, the patient was found to have extensive acute mesenteric infarction due to thromboembolism of superior mesenteric artery. This is a valuable educational case, since only high index of suspicion does not delay making a diagnosis especially in the patients with risk factors of acute mesenteric ischemia after cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. On suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia, an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach should be performed immediately.

Keyword

Coronary artery bypass; Mesentery; Ischemia

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Coronary Artery Bypass*
Coronary Vessels*
Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Infarction*
Ischemia
Mesenteric Artery, Superior
Mesentery
Middle Aged
Risk Factors
Thoracic Surgery
Thromboembolism
Transplants
Wounds and Injuries