[Coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with hypopituitarism].

Patients with hypopituitarism are prone to perioperative complications resulting from adrenal insufficiency or hypothyroidism. Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed safely in a 53-year-old woman with postinfarction unstable angina and hypopituitarism. Cortisol and thyroid hormone were administered to maintain normal adrenal and thyroid function during and after the operation. Hydrocortisone was administered intravenously the day before surgery and for 2 weeks postoperatively and then was administered orally. Perioperative replacement thyroxine therapy was administered to avoid acute myocardial ischemia. Optimal thyroid replacement was achieved after surgery. No perioperative complications were seen. The patient remains free of angina with postoperative cortisol and thyroid hormone replacement therapy.