What is a common cause of postoperative hypertension following cardiac surgery?

Violent coughing is recognized as a common cause of postoperative hypertension in the context of cardiac surgery. After surgical procedures, patients may experience airway irritation due to intubation or other factors related to the surgery. This can lead to increased intrathoracic pressure when a patient coughs forcefully, which in turn can cause a sudden spike in blood pressure.

This physiological response is often exacerbated by the pain and discomfort associated with recovery, as patients may inadvertently cough to clear secretions or due to irritation in the tracheobronchial tree. As a result, managing pain and providing effective analgesia postoperatively can also help mitigate this risk.

In contrast, low cardiac output syndrome typically leads to hypotension rather than hypertension, as the heart struggles to pump an adequate amount of blood. Anticoagulation therapy is more related to bleeding complications rather than direct hypertension and severe bradycardia results in a decreased heart rate but not an increase in blood pressure. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing postoperative care in cardiac surgery patients.