Chylopericardium following mitral valve replacement

Jpn J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2002 Dec;50(12):518-9. doi: 10.1007/BF02913165.

Abstract

A 49-year-old man with mitral regurgitation developed chylopericardium after mitral valve replacement. On postoperative day (POD) 1, the patient was started on a regular diet. On POD 2, drainage from retrosternal and intrapericardial tubes increased, becoming turbid and milky. Because the triglyceride concentration was high at 197 mg/dl, we diagnosed the condition as chylopericardium. The patient was given nothing by mouth for 2 days and, from POD 4, received a low-fat diet, after which drainage cleared and volume decreased. The 2 drainage tubes were removed on POD 6, and he was discharged without complications on POD 18.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Chyle*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitral Valve / surgery*
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / surgery
  • Pericardium*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*