Vocal cord dysfunction can be an easily overlooked complication after open heart surgery. It can be the cause of respiratory insufficiency following tracheal extubation and may lead to reintubation and reventilation. The cause of the problem cannot always be traced but it may be due to direct trauma of the vocal cords during tracheal intubation, or trauma of the recurrent laryngeal nerve from the cuff of the endotracheal tube. A less likely possibility is that it may result from nerve injury due to central venous cannulation, or from cold. The condition may resolve within months, but, in rare cases, may lead to permanent morbidity.

Sternal wound complications are significant problems in cardiac surgery and cause challenges to surgeons as they are associated with high mortality, morbidity, and a tremendous load on the hospital budget. Risk factors and preventive measures against sternal wound infection need to be in focus. Classification of different types of sternotomy complications post cardiac surgery is important for specific categorization and management. Reviewing the literature, a variety of classifications was introduced to help understand the pathophysiology of these wounds and how best to manage them. Initial classifications were based on the postoperative period of the infectious process and risk factors. Recently, the anatomical description of sternal wound, including the depth and location, was shown to be more practical. There is a lack of evidence-based surgical consensus for the appropriate management strategy, including type of closure, choice of sternal coverage post sternectomy, whether primary, delayed and when to use reconstructive flaps.

Three patients with homozygous sickle cell disease underwent successful open heart surgery for multivalvular lesions. Details of the surgical technique and the necessary precautions are described. Exchange transfusion was implemented in all cases. Crucial issues in cardiac surgical management to avoid or at least minimize vasoocclusive crisis and associated complications are discussed.

Background Re-exploration of bleeding after cardiac surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Perioperative blood loss and rate of re-exploration are variable among centers and surgeons. Objective To present our experience of low rate of re-exploration based on adopting checklist for hemostasis and algorithm for management. Methods Retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted for 565 adult patients who underwent surgical treatment of congenital and acquired heart disease and were complicated by postoperative bleeding from Feb 2006 to May 2019. Demographics of patients, operative characteristics, perioperative risk factors, blood loss, requirements of blood transfusion, morbidity and mortality were recorded. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of re-exploration and determinants of adverse outcome. Results Thirteen patients (1.14%) were reexplored for bleeding. An identifiable source of bleeding was found in 11 (84.6%) patients. Risk factors for re-exploration were high body mass index, high Euro SCORE, operative priority (urgent/emergent), elevated serum creatinine and low platelets count. Re-exploration was significantly associated with increased requirements of blood transfusion, adverse effects on cardiorespiratory state (low ejection fraction, increased s. lactate, and prolonged period of mechanical ventilation), longer intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, increased incidence of SWI, and higher mortality (15.4% versus 2.53% for non-reexplored patients). We managed 285 patients with severe or massive bleeding conservatively by hemostatic agents according to our protocol with no added risk of morbidity or mortality. Conclusion Low rate of re-exploration for bleeding can be achieved by strict preoperative preparation, intraoperative checklist for hemostasis implemented by senior surgeons and adopting an algorithm for management.

Background The swift advances in interventional cardiology combined with the increasing risk of cardiac surgical procedures resulted in diminishing volume of coronary and valvular surgery and affected the future of cardiac surgery service and training. Application to cardiac surgery training programs have steadily declined. This cross‐sectional study aimed at identifying main weakness facing cardiac surgery and advocating some recommendations to improve the status of current and future of cardiac surgery. Methods Cross‐sectional study was authorized by the institutional review board of King Abdulaziz University and performed among cardiac surgeons and cardiologists in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from May to June 2021. Data were collected by sending questionnaires through email to cardiac surgeons and cardiologists in different cardiac centers all over Saudi Arabia. Out of 200 emails sent to our participants only 55 who responded. Results A total of 55 doctors who participated in the study have completed the self‐administered questionnaire by electronic mail. Seventy‐six percent of the respondents are cardiac surgeons and 24% are cardiologists. Most of the respondents (72.7%, 63.6%) think that the volume of coronary and valvular cardiac surgery patients nowadays is less than before compared to invasive cardiology patients. Most of the respondents (91%) think that coronary cardiac surgery is better than invasive cardiology in left main disease and complex lesions but carries higher risk. Sixty‐nine percent of the respondents think that one cardiac center in each city according to the population will provide better cardiac health services compared to small cardiac units. Conclusion In the recommendations to improve the future of cardiac surgery, 83% of the respondents agree that residents training in cardiac surgery should be modified to add at least one extra year of training in the Catheterization Laboratory (Cath lab) procedures including coronary, valvular, aortic and arrhythmia, thus introducing the interventional surgeon.