Background
Resternotomy for bleeding and cardiac tamponade following coronary
artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains as high as
2-6%.5,9 This remains a significant complication
leading to prolonged cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU)
stay.7 Resternotomy patients have been found to
experience mortality rates as high as 22%.12 While
bleeding and cardiac tamponade post cardiac surgery is typically
attributed to coagulopathy or surgical hemostasis, reports of right
ventricular (RV) laceration secondary to sternal wire fractures are
exceedingly rare.6,10 Informed consent was obtained
for the following case report. International review board approval and
clinical trial registration were not applicable.