Circulatory disturbances of the venous system of the legs after coronary bypass graft operation.

The alterations of 85 limbs of 69 patients were examined after aortocoronary bypass operation. The study was partly retrospective, partly prospective. The limbs were divided into two groups according to their severity grade. On 36 legs (42%) the site of operation was free of reaction (inflammation, oedema). Twenty-seven legs (32%) required treatment with diuretics and Venoruton (success rate, 89%). Because of alterations of 22 legs (26%) Venoruton, Glyvenol, Colfarit, intravenous Rheomacrodex and, at the site of the intervention, heparin were administered. The inflammation of 4 of the 22 legs required, besides these treatments, antibiotics. Amelioration was observed in 20 of the 22 legs. The authors call attention to a new type of venous circulatory disturbances which may be iatrogenic in some respect. It would be possible to prevent a considerable part of the alterations if heart-surgeons, in cooperation with the peripheral vessel specialists, made additional examinations before operation. The treatment of the venous circulatory disturbance should already be started at the surgical centers and continued during after-care.