Sternal dehiscence after cardiac surgery and ACE type 1 inhibition

We report two cases, which underwent surgery through Median sternotomy. They were on an ACE type I inhibitor pre-operatively. Both of these patients developed persistent dry cough post-operatively, which resulted in sternal wound dehiscence. They had no clinical or bacteriological evidence of sternal wound infection. Although one patient was overweight and had moderately impaired left ventricular function, there were no other associated risk factors. Both patients underwent rewiring of the sternum. Type II receptors inhibitor were introduced post-rewiring, which cured the persistent dry cough. Both the patients are enjoying a good quality of life at 2 year 6 months and 2 years post-rewiring of the sternum. Copyright © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.