Management of Postoperative Bleeding after Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair: A Case Report

Excessive postoperative bleeding after cardiac surgery is one of the major risk factors for increased morbidity and mortality. Effective and timely management is essential in averting the need for surgical re-exploration and preventing adverse outcomes. This case report describes the perioperative course of a patient undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve repair and the management of postoperative bleeding. The point of care testing technique of thromboelastography (TEG) is explored. Literature is reviewed for current evidence in treatment options for postoperative bleeding after cardiac surgery, including TEG-guided transfusion, fibrinogen replacement, activated Factor VII, antifibrinolytic agents, and DDAVP. The hemostatic management in the case report is then analyzed based on the current evidence.