Excessive Bleeding After Cardiac Surgery in Adults: Reasons and Management

Postoperative bleeding is a concern for all patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In patients exposed to cardiopulmonary bypass, bleeding following surgery is excessive in up to twelve percent of patients in whom subsequent re-exploration is required. Several studies have evaluated main reasons, prevention of excessive postoperative bleeding and impact of patients outcomes. This article contains a literature review on excessive bleeding and re-exploration following cardiac surgery, main surgical and medical sources, prevention and management of bleeding.