Since blood sugar control after surgery is crucial for healing, all cardiac
surgery patients are temporarily started on insulin which will be stopped
within 48-72 hours after surgery. When discharged, you may remain on
some insulin or pills to control your sugar.
The physical therapist will assist you with mobility and exercise. The
physical therapy team is there to assess what your needs will be upon
discharge. If it is determined that you will need to go to a rehab facility
for a short time, a social worker will come and discuss placement options
with you.
Deep breathing continues to be of utmost importance to avoid breathing
complications such as pneumonia.
Possible post-operative complications
Some of the more common complications that can occur after surgery include bleeding,
irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation (AFib), pleural effusions, blood clots, infection,
kidney injury and temporary memory loss.
Bleeding:
As with any kind of major surgery, there are risks.
Complications of surgery are rare, but they are still a concern.
Bleeding occurs most frequently and often resolves with a
transfusion of blood and other types of blood products.
Occasionally bleeding may be severe enough to require
additional surgery.
Heart rhythm problem:
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