Evaluation of pulmonary functiontest : How to anticipate cardio-pulmonary complications after lung resection

Abstract

We studied cardio-pulmonary complications after lung resection two groups: high aged group over 70 years old and control group under 59 years old. The definition of pulmonary complicatiods were done on chest X-ray films such cases as pneumonia, atelectasis and ARDS like alveolar comsolidation. Cardiac complications were defined by ECG monitor. There is no difference in the loss of pulmonary function between two groups after each sugery. In the aged group, cardiac complication, pulmonary complication and cardio-pulmonary complication were seen in 47%, 21% and 18% respectively. In control group, these complications were seen in 24%, 11% and 4% respectively. We found that the reserve capacity of pulmonary vascular bed was small in the aged cases and over 125% increased in the total pulmonary vascular resistance in unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion test was a high risk factor for cardio and pulmonary complications after lung resection.