A 74-year-old man experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction during heart surgery, which doctors later discovered was caused by alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)—a rare allergy to a protein found in red meat and dairy products. The reaction happened after he received blood products during the operation. This case is important because AGS is often undiagnosed and can cause serious problems during medical procedures. The patient recovered after treatment and was later diagnosed with AGS. Doctors now understand that this condition may also damage the heart over time, making it crucial for medical teams to recognize and manage AGS in patients undergoing surgery.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How an undiagnosed meat allergy (alpha-gal syndrome) caused a dangerous allergic reaction during heart surgery and what doctors learned from this case.
  • Who participated: One 74-year-old male patient undergoing heart valve and aorta replacement surgery who had an unexpected severe allergic reaction.
  • Key finding: The patient’s sudden collapse during surgery was caused by alpha-gal syndrome, a delayed allergic reaction to proteins in mammal meat and dairy. The reaction occurred after receiving blood transfusions during the operation. The patient recovered within 6 hours with proper medical treatment.
  • What it means for you: If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction during surgery or after eating red meat, ask your doctor about alpha-gal syndrome testing. This is especially important if you live in areas with lone star ticks or have unexplained allergic reactions. Early diagnosis can prevent serious complications during medical procedures.

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors documented one patient’s medical experience in detail. The 74-year-old man came to the hospital for planned heart surgery to replace a faulty valve and repair his aorta (the main artery from the heart). During surgery, after receiving blood transfusions, he suddenly experienced a dangerous drop in blood pressure and other signs of a severe allergic reaction. Doctors initially thought it might be a reaction to the blood transfusion itself, a heart problem, or an infection, but tests ruled all of these out. The patient recovered quickly with emergency treatment, which was unusual and led doctors to investigate further.

Case reports are important because they describe unusual or unexpected medical situations that doctors might not otherwise recognize. By documenting this case in detail, the doctors help other medical teams around the world learn to identify alpha-gal syndrome before it causes a crisis. This is especially valuable because AGS is still relatively unknown and often goes undiagnosed until a serious event occurs.

This is a single case report, which means it describes one patient’s experience rather than testing many people. While case reports are valuable for raising awareness about rare conditions, they cannot prove that something causes a particular outcome. The strength of this report is that the doctors carefully ruled out other possible causes and documented the patient’s recovery. However, readers should understand that one case cannot establish how common this problem is or how it will affect other patients.

What the Results Show

During heart surgery, the patient experienced a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure (hemodynamic collapse) shortly after receiving blood transfusions containing heparin (a blood thinner), fresh frozen plasma, and platelets. His body was having a severe allergic reaction. The medical team immediately provided emergency treatment, and remarkably, the patient recovered completely within 6 hours. This rapid recovery was unusual and suggested the problem was not a typical transfusion reaction, heart failure, or infection. After the surgery healed normally, doctors performed additional testing and discovered the patient had alpha-gal syndrome—a rare allergy to a sugar found in mammal meat and dairy products. The patient likely had been exposed to lone star ticks at some point, which triggered this allergy to develop.

Beyond the immediate surgical crisis, the doctors noted that alpha-gal syndrome may cause long-term heart problems. These can include early failure of artificial heart valves (especially those made from animal tissue), faster development of plaque in arteries (atherosclerosis), and increased risk of heart disease. This is particularly concerning for this patient since he received a bioprosthetic valve (made from animal tissue) during his surgery. The doctors recommend that patients with AGS who receive animal-based medical devices need careful long-term monitoring.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a relatively newly recognized condition that has become more common as awareness has increased. Most cases are triggered by lone star tick bites in the southern and central United States. While doctors have documented AGS causing reactions to eating red meat and dairy, this case is notable because it shows AGS can also cause severe reactions to blood products and animal-derived medical materials used during surgery. This expands understanding of how AGS can affect patients in medical settings, not just from food.

This report describes only one patient, so it cannot tell us how often this problem occurs or whether it will happen to other AGS patients. The patient’s age (74) and specific medical situation may not apply to younger patients or those with different health conditions. Additionally, the report doesn’t provide detailed information about the patient’s tick exposure history or exactly when he developed AGS. Doctors cannot determine from one case whether all AGS patients undergoing surgery will have similar reactions or whether the long-term heart effects mentioned will definitely occur.

The Bottom Line

If you have alpha-gal syndrome and need surgery, inform your surgical team immediately so they can take precautions with blood products and medical materials. If you have unexplained severe allergic reactions, especially after eating red meat or during medical procedures, ask your doctor about AGS testing, particularly if you live in areas with lone star ticks or have a history of tick bites. If you have AGS and receive an animal-based heart valve or other animal-derived implant, plan for regular heart monitoring with your cardiologist. These recommendations are based on limited evidence from case reports, so discuss your individual situation with your doctors.

This case is most relevant to people living in the southern and central United States where lone star ticks are common, people who have had unexplained allergic reactions, and patients with known alpha-gal syndrome who need surgery. Heart surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other surgical teams should be aware of AGS as a potential cause of intraoperative complications. People without AGS or tick exposure history in non-endemic areas have lower risk, but awareness is still valuable for healthcare providers.

The allergic reaction in this case occurred within minutes to hours of exposure during surgery. If you have AGS, avoiding trigger foods and materials can prevent reactions immediately. If you’ve been diagnosed with AGS and received an animal-based implant, long-term heart problems may develop over months to years, making regular monitoring important. Recovery from an acute AGS reaction, as in this case, can occur within hours with proper treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have alpha-gal syndrome, track your red meat and dairy consumption daily, noting any symptoms (itching, swelling, stomach pain, difficulty breathing) that appear 3-6 hours after eating. Also log any tick exposures or bites and monitor for new allergic symptoms.
  • Users with AGS should use the app to maintain a detailed food diary excluding red meat and dairy products, set reminders for regular cardiology appointments if they have animal-based heart implants, and log any allergic symptoms to share with their healthcare provider. Users should also track tick exposure during outdoor activities in endemic areas.
  • Establish a long-term tracking system that monitors: (1) dietary adherence to AGS restrictions, (2) symptom frequency and severity, (3) medication compliance if prescribed omalizumab or antihistamines, (4) scheduled cardiology visits for those with implants, and (5) any new or worsening heart symptoms. Review trends monthly with healthcare providers.

This case report describes one patient’s experience and should not be considered medical advice. Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious condition that requires professional medical diagnosis and management. If you experience severe allergic reactions, seek immediate emergency medical care. If you suspect you have alpha-gal syndrome, consult with an allergist or immunologist for proper testing and diagnosis. If you have AGS and need surgery, inform your surgical team before the procedure. This information is for educational purposes and does not replace consultation with qualified healthcare providers who can evaluate your individual situation.