Ambulatory post-operative care of patients following coronary artery bypass and valve replacement surgery: discussion and algorithms.

Patients who are seen for medical follow-up after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or valve replacement (VR) surgery often present with a complex array of complaints and can be difficult to assess. We provide a summary of the components of the surgical procedure, the associated post-operative problems and potential significant complications. In addition, as an aid to simplify and direct outpatient post-operative care, we present an algorithm which addresses the expected clinical features of post-operative patients, recommended routine follow-up diagnostic tests, signs, symptoms and appropriate screening procedures for significant post-operative complications and recommendations for rehabilitation and risk factor management. This approach is designed to enable the practitioner to address these complex patients with confidence and to assist them with positive lifestyle adaptations and risk factor reduction and to predict and prevent significant post-operative complications.