Robot-Assisted Cardiac Procedures Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

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

• Damage to neighboring organs or structures in the chest
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Anesthesia-related problems
• Death

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Prior heart attack or heart surgery
• Advanced age
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Uncontrolled thyroid disease

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

Call Your Doctor

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

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from an incision site
• Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
• Difficulty urinating, such as pain, burning, urgency, frequency, or bleeding
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Rapid weight gain
• Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs
• Headache, feeling faint or dizzy
• Other worrisome symptoms

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.