complications after bypass surgery

[Teen68]

My 77 yr old father (type II diabetic) just had single bypass surgery done 8 days ago (surgery was done "off pump"), and is still in the hospital.  He has had to have two blood tranfusions since the surgery as his blood count is low (doctors cant explain the blood loss), and has severe edema in both his legs and his scrotum, which also the doctors cannot explain.  He also had low kidney functions, and shortness of breath due to an injured bronchial tube from a difficult intubation (sp?).  Could the diabetes been a factor in these complications (sans the injured bronchial tube)?

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Teen68,



Thanks for the post.  Sorry to read of your father's ordeal.



Diabetes is a risk factor for complications after bypass surgery, so it is possible that the diabetes is contributing to his problems.



The poor kidney function and swelling may indicate heart failure, or may be simply from "stunning" of the kidney, or from another source altogether.



If your father is in a smaller center, consider having him transferred sooner rather than later.  As a general rule, large centers do better with complications than do small.



Good luck.

[momdueck]

A related discussion, swelling was started.