Background
Resternotomy for bleeding and cardiac tamponade following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains as high as 2-6%.5,9 This remains a significant complication leading to prolonged cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) stay.7 Resternotomy patients have been found to experience mortality rates as high as 22%.12 While bleeding and cardiac tamponade post cardiac surgery is typically attributed to coagulopathy or surgical hemostasis, reports of right ventricular (RV) laceration secondary to sternal wire fractures are exceedingly rare.6,10 Informed consent was obtained for the following case report. International review board approval and clinical trial registration were not applicable.