Maze Procedure—Open Surgery Contributions by ColleenO

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have this procedure, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Anesthesia-related problems
• The need for a permanent pacemaker
• Kidney or other organ failure
• Stroke
• Death

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Pre-existing heart, lung, or kidney conditions
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Previous chest surgery
• Use of certain medicines

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, call your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Cough or shortness of breath
• New chest pain
• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Palpitations or rapid heart rate
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
• Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medicines you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
• Coughing up blood
• Headache or feeling faint
• Inability to urinate
• Pain, burning, urgency, frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
• Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs
• Other worrisome symptoms

Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if any of the following occurs:

• Sudden chest pain
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Problems with vision or speaking
• Numbness or weakness on one side of your body

If you think you have an emergency, CALL 911.