Gastrointestinal (GI) complications after heart surgery included slight bleeding through fulminant hepatic failure. Although overall rate of these complications is low, it can lead to high mortality after heart surgery. Diagnosis of GI complication is difficult. Risk factors for GI complications are clear. Mechanisms of complications are various. Therefore, we collected the recent prospective and retrospective literatures to sumarize mortality of GI complications, pathogenesis, risk factors, recent progress of prevention and management, to guide clinical practice.
Gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery are rare, but they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms of gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery may be unique, as the abdominal cavity is not involved. This review summarizes the current evidence of the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, risk factors, and management of gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery, aiming to improve the recognition of gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery.