VEC: ERAS Cardiac Protocols

Created: December 15, 2025 This page was reviewed by the ERAS Cardiac Editorial Team and is provided for general education only. Always talk with your care team about your individual treatment plan and recovery needs. How your care team helps protect your brain during...

What Is a Surgical Site Infection? A Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is an infection that happens where your surgical incision was made, usually within 30 days of surgery. In cardiac surgery, this can include the chest incision or...

Why Rigid Sternal Fixation Is Used After Heart Surgery After heart surgery, your breastbone (sternum) needs time to heal. To do this, the surgeon must close and secure the sternum after the procedure. This is typically done using...

Why Nutrition Matters in Heart Surgery Good nutrition before and after heart surgery can help you recover faster, feel stronger, and lower your risk of complications. Your body uses nutrients to heal wounds, fight infection, and...

Understanding Nausea and Vomiting After Heart Surgery Many patients feel sick to their stomach or vomit after heart surgery. This is called postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). While it can be uncomfortable, your care team takes...

Overview  Pain control is an important part of recovery after heart surgery. Many patients worry about pain after surgery, as well as the side effects of pain medications. To address this, care teams often use a multimodal...

Overview After heart surgery, many patients need temporary help with breathing while they recover from anesthesia and the procedure itself. This support is provided through a breathing tube connected to a ventilator. Removing this...

Summary Some patients may experience temporary changes in thinking or awareness after heart surgery. This is sometimes called delirium. It may include confusion, trouble focusing, or feeling disoriented. Not all hospitals follow the...

Summary After heart surgery, chest tubes are sometimes used to help drain fluid or blood from around the heart and lungs. This drainage supports breathing and circulation while the body begins to heal. Care teams who use ERAS Cardiac...

Summary After heart surgery, some patients may experience a change in heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, or AFib. It is one of the most common rhythm changes during recovery. Not all care teams use the same recovery pathway,...

Summary After heart surgery, moving safely and at the right time can support recovery. This process is called early ambulation and physiotherapy. It does not mean strenuous exercise. It refers to gentle movement, walking with help,...

Summary After heart surgery, the kidneys work harder as the body heals. This temporary stress is common and may affect how well the kidneys function. This change is called acute kidney injury, or AKI. Not all care teams use the same...