Risks of any surgery Some Complications associated with any surgical procedure include:^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]}

• Pulmonary embolism where blood clots in the legs travel to the lungs
• Blood loss
• Breathing problems
• Infection, including in the lungs, kidneys, bladder, chest, or heart valves
• Reactions to medicines
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abnormal or painful scar formation
• Allergic skin reaction

Possible risks from having open-heart surgery There are many risks associated with open heart surgery.^[1][2]The postoperative risk factors can be related to various factors including albumin, TLC and BMI.^[8] Other possible complications after an heart surgery include:^{[9][10][11][12]}

• Heart attack or stroke
• Heart rhythm problems; such as atrial fibrillation
• Infection at the site of the incision cut, which is more likely to happen in people who are obese, have diabetes, women, or have already had this surgery
• Memory loss and loss of mental clarity, or “fuzzy thinking” or pump head
• Post-pericardiotomy syndrome, which presents as a low-grade fever and chest pain. This could last for up to 6 months

Prosthetic heart valves are associated with a variety of complications The complications associated with prosthetic heart valves include:^{[12][13][14][15]}

• Structural deterioration, particularly with bioprosthetic valves
• Valve obstruction due to thrombosis or pannus formation
• Systemic embolization
• Bleeding
• Endocarditis and other infections
• Left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which may be preexisting (Heart failure)
• Hemolytic anemia