Rest Ventilatory Parameters Predict Morbidity and Mortality in Thoracic Surgery

Rest Ventilatory Parameters Predict Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is recommended for preoperative evaluation and risk stratification of lung resection candidates. Ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope) has been shown to predict morbidity and mortality in lung resection candidates and has been shown superior to peak oxygen consumption (VO2). Patients with increased VE/VCO2 during exercise also exhibit increased VE/VCO2 ratio and decreased end-tidal CO2 at rest. Our first hypothesis is that rest ventilatory parameters predict morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. VE/VCO2 is well correlated with ventilation-perfusion mismatch, therefore it may be useful in hypoxemia prediction during one-lung ventilation during thoracic surgery. Our second hypothesis is that patients with high VE/VCO2 will be prone to hypoxemia development during one-lung ventilation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• thoracotomy because of lung infiltration (confirmed or highly suspicious lung tumor)

Exclusion Criteria:

• none