Mitral regurgitation surgery complications


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [mailto:msbeih@perfuse.org]

Complications
Risks for any surgery


 * Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs.
 * Blood loss.
 * Breathing problems.
 * Infection, including in the lungs, kidneys, bladder, chest, or heart valves.
 * Reactions to medicines.

Possible risks from having open-heart surgery


 * Heart attack or stroke.
 * Heart rhythm problems.
 * Infection in the cut, which is more likely to happen in people who are obese, have diabetes, or have already had this surgery.
 * Memory loss and loss of mental clarity, or "fuzzy thinking."
 * Post-pericardiotomy syndrome, which is a low-grade fever and chest pain. This could last for up to 6 months.

Prosthetic heart valves are associated with a variety of complications


 * Structural deterioration, particularly with bioprosthetic valves.
 * Valve obstruction due to thrombosis or pannus formation.
 * Systemic embolization.
 * Bleeding.
 * Endocarditis and other infections.
 * Left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which may be preexisting.
 * Hemolytic anemia.