When Rhythm Correction Turns Risky: Rare Right-Sided Haemorrhagic Pleural Effusion Post Maze Procedure.

The maze procedure for atrial fibrillation carries risks, including pleural effusion. We report a case of a 54-year-old woman with right-sided pleural effusion post maze surgery, presenting with dyspnoea. Despite treatment, complications arose, including atrial flutter. Prompt recognition and multidisciplinary management led to a favourable outcome. This case underscores the importance of vigilance for rare post-operative complications and highlights the need for collaborative care in optimising patient outcomes following cardiac surgeries. Further research is warranted to refine management strategies for such occurrences.

Learning points: Healthcare providers should remain vigilant for rare complications, for example right-sided haemothorax, following cardiac surgeries such as the maze procedure to initiate timely management and ensure favourable outcomes.The post-maze procedure, atrial flutter or macroreentrant atrial tachycardia may resist standard medical treatment, emphasising the importance of considering catheter ablation as a therapeutic option to improve patient outcomes.Empowering patients with knowledge about potential post-procedure complications and associated symptoms facilitates early reporting, enabling prompt intervention by healthcare providers and leading to improved treatment outcomes.