Has anyone experienced neuropathy or brain complications after cardiac surgery?
Yes, neuropathy is a known complication after heart surgery. A MyHeartDiseaseTeam member shared: "I had a CABG about 15 months ago where the left internal mammary artery was grafted onto the left coronary artery. Ever since, I've had constant Show Full Answer
Has anyone experienced neuropathy or brain complications after cardiac surgery?
Yes, neuropathy is a known complication after heart surgery. A MyHeartDiseaseTeam member shared: "I had a CABG about 15 months ago where the left internal mammary artery was grafted onto the left coronary artery. Ever since, I've had constant pain around the area, not a deep pain. I went for tests and the cardiologist told me the pain was nerve damage."
Research shows that around 38 percent of people recovering from coronary artery bypass graft surgery experienced neuropathy. Some cases were linked to factors like sternum retraction during surgery and extended time on a heart-lung machine.
During open heart surgery, nerves can be damaged when surgeons cut through the sternum to access the heart. This can affect intercostal nerves between your ribs or the ulnar nerve running from shoulder to hand. As these nerves heal, they become especially sensitive, causing symptoms like:
- Tingling or numbness
- Burning sensations
- Muscle weakness
- Pain that feels more intense than normal
The complications you experienced with elevated CO2, possible TIA, and micro-bleeds are serious concerns that require close monitoring by your healthcare team. These are different from typical nerve damage but can occur during lengthy surgeries involving heart-lung bypass machines.
If you're experiencing nerve pain or other symptoms, talk with your doctor about treatment options like gabapentin, pregabalin, or other pain management strategies.
January 2
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