Cardiothoracic surgery posits an arrangement of large, significant hemodynamic, and physiologic alterations upon the human body, which predisposes a patient to develop pathology. The care of these patients in the postoperative realm requires an astute physician with deep understanding of the cardiopulmonary system, who is able to address subtle developing problems promptly, before the patient suffers further sequelae. In this review, we describe the presentation and management of an assortment of important complications which occur in the pulmonary system. In addition, we aim to shed better light upon how the physiology of a patient responds to the condition of cardiothoracic surgery.
Keywords: Acute respiratory failure; Cardiothoracic intensive care unit; Cardiothoracic surgery; Complications; Critical care; Postoperative complications.