Massive Volume Loss During Cardiopulmonary Bypass and its Association with Meckel’s Diverticulum

The occurrence of any gastrointestinal (GI) complication concurrent with cardiac surgery may greatly increase a patient’s morbidity and mortality. The most frequently discussed GI complication associated with cardiac surgery is hemorrhage from peptic ulcerations and the exacerbation of this condition through heparinization. However, there are consequences of other GI problems which the clinical perfusionist needs to be aware of. This paper presents a case of a 65 year old female undergoing routine coronary artery bypass grafting. Although this patient was an uric, an excessive amount of fluid loss and replacement occurred. This paper reviews the case management and the eventual diagnosis of acute peritonitis as a result of perforated Meckel’s diverticulum and describes the subsequent surgical intervention for repair of the perforation.