Conclusions
Although the patient was stable at the time of sternal dehiscence and wire fracture, he acutely decompensated prior to the planned procedure. Fortunately, the patient was in the CVICU for respiratory concerns allowing for immediate attention and resuscitation. This raises the question of whether the diagnosis of sternal dehiscence with a fractured wire should be an indication for urgent reintervention to prevent such complications. Further investigation and innovation is required to improve sternal closure techniques and materials in addition for the development of protocols to recognize and manage sternal wire fractures with sternal dehiscence.