Myocardial ischaemia during coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a review of intervention strategies (Part 2)

Abstract

Low cardiac output syndrome is a common phenomenon in cardiac surgical patients. Myocardial ischaemia, stunning and hibernation often manifest with a low cardiac output state accompanied by segmental wall motion abnormalities.¹ Intracoronary air, direct coronary occlusion due to technical difficulty, hypovolaemia, low systemic vascular resistance, tamponade, diastolic dysfunction, right ventricular dysfunction and intracardiac air may also lead to low cardiac output syndrome.¹ The advent of echocardiography promises to revolutionise the management of this syndrome with early diagnosis and resolution of correctable causes.