Mesothelioma surgeries performed
in the chest cavity pose the risk of causing cardiac complications. The most
common risk is for atrial fibrillation, or cardiac arrhythmia (irregular or
abnormal heart beat). In one study of 328 patients who underwent an
extrapleural pneumonectomy, more than 44 percent experienced an abnormal
heartbeat after the surgery.
Patients may experience other
cardiac complications after a chest surgery, including inflammation,
compression of the heart from a fluid buildup or myocardial infarction (heart
attack). Cardiac arrest may occur, but it is very rare, affecting only 3
percent of the patients in the extrapleural pneumonectomy study. If cardiac
arrest occurs within 10 days of the procedure, patients may require an
emergency thoracotomy to surgically correct the shifted heart.
Unlike other side effects, these
conditions cannot be managed by medication or other techniques.
Other Surgical Complications
In one study of 33 extrapleural
pneumonectomies, eight mesothelioma patients experienced major operative
complications. The complication rates are broken down as follows:
• Abnormal
growth between the lung and pleural space (2 patients)
• Vocal
cord paralysis (2 patients)
• Pleural
effusion (1 patient)
• Buildup
of lymphatic fluid in the pleural cavity (1 patient)
• Arrhythmia/Erratic
heartbeat (1 patient)
• Respiratory
failure (1 patient)
Some of the other rare
complications include kidney failure, hypotension (low blood pressure), deep
vein thrombosis (blood clot that usually occurs in the large veins of the
legs), air leak, hemorrhage and aspiration.
Peritoneal mesothelioma patients
who receive surgery in their abdomens may experience temporary bowel paralysis
for a short time after surgery. This may prevent patients from emptying their
bowls, which can also result in nausea or vomiting. Often, the body can heal
itself of this problem, but some patients may need a catheter during recovery
if this blockage continues. To learn more about the potential complications you
may face after surgery, call one of our knowledgeable and compassionate