• Research blog
Thursday, 15. May 2025

Post-Sternotomy Complications

Recent Publication


A case report by Dr Casey Zacharias BSc, Dr Kathrin Freystaetter, Dr Wolfgang Dietl and Prim. Prof. PD Dr Dominik Wiedemann from the Division of Cardiosurgery at St. Pölten University Hospital describes a special patient. A 66-year-old man came to hospital with a heavily bleeding wound on his sternum - many years after an earlier heart operation. The cause was a broken wire that was originally intended to stabilise the sternum but had now damaged the aorta. A dangerous pseudoaneurysm formed. The doctors performed a difficult operation under cold anaesthesia and circulatory arrest - an impressive example of how important long-term aftercare and specialised centres are in cardiac surgery.

Zachariah, C., Freystaetter, K., Dietl, W., & Wiedemann, D. (Accepted/In press). Post-Sternotomy Complications. JACC: Case Reports, 103375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccas.2025.103375

Prim. Univ.-Prof. PD Dr. Dominik Wiedemann

Division of Cardiosurgery (University Hospital St. Pölten)