What are the risks of heart bypass surgery?
• Infection — because bacteria are naturally present in the air, there is risk of infection whenever internal organs or tissues are exposed to the air • Bleeding – either from the incision site or rarely internally • Blood clots. Blood clots can also develop during heart bypass surgery. These clots form because blood is circulated though the body using a bypass machine while the patient lies still for hours of surgery. In rare instances, this blood clot can lead to a stroke. • Other serious complications that can occur during surgery include a heart attack or irregular heart rhythm, and even death. However, heart bypass surgery is typically a safe surgery.
