Methods: One thousand consequtive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were followed prospectively between January 2000 and December 2000. Risk factors for morbidity and mortality were recorded.
Results: Gastrointestinal system complications were developed in 14 (1.4%) of consequtive 1000 coronary artery bypass grafting cases. Six (43%) of them were death. Most frequent gastrointestinal system complication was bleeding in gastrointestinal system (43%). Others were intestinal ischemia (36%), pancreatitis (14%), and paralytic ileus (7%). Symptoms of gastrointestinal system were seen more frequent than complications of it (25.1%). But this symptoms were treated well medically.
Conclusion: Gastrointestinal system complications after open heart surgery are seen rare. But mortality is high, so that care must be taken to predictory risk factors. Incidance and mortality of gastrointestinal complications can be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment.