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

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.