Costochondritis After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract

Costochondritis is painful inflammatory condition of costochondral junctions, which can be reproduced by palpating the affected joints. After CABG, musculoskeletal problems are major cause of chest pain due to median sternotomy. Prevalence of costochondritis in emergency department is 14% but its frequency in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting is not well established. Objective: To identify costochondritis as complication of sternotomy in post-operative CABG patients. Methods: This was a descriptive case series study in which 43 patients were included in study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. 28 males and 15 females were included in the study with same baseline characteristics. Each patient was assessed using diagnostic criteria based on clinical history and physical examination, after 3 weeks of coronary artery bypass grafting, under supervision of cardiologist. Results: Mean age of patients was 51.14, with range minimum 30 years to maximum 70 years. 15 patients (34.9%) had costochondritis after CABG and 28 patients (65.1%) had other musculoskeletal causes of chest pain. Conclusions: Costochondritis after CABG is one major complication of sternotomy which causes severe chest pain, affecting 34.9% patients. It affects females twice as compare to males