Stair climbing test predicts cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the capability of the stair climbing test to predict cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection for lung cancer.


METHODS
A prospective cohort of candidates for lung resection. Spirometric assessment and the stair climbing test were performed the day before operation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of postoperative complications.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 160 candidates for lung resection with lung carcinoma from January 2000 through March 2001.


RESULTS
At univariate analysis, the patients with complications were significantly older (p = 0.02), had a significantly lower FEV(1) percentage (p = 0.007) and predicted postoperative FEV(1) percentage (p = 0.01), had a greater incidence of a concomitant cardiac disease (p = 0.02), climbed a lower altitude at the stair climbing test (p < 0.0001), and had a lower calculated maximum oxygen consumption (O(2)max) [p = 0.03] and predicted postoperative O(2)max (p = 0.006) compared to the patients without complications. At multivariate analysis, the altitude reached at the stair climbing test remained the only significant independent predictor of complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The stair climbing test is a safe and economical exercise test, and it was the best predictor of cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection.
Brunelli
Alessandro
A
Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy. alexit_2000@yahoo.com
Al Refai
Majed
M
Monteverde
Marco
M
Borri
Alessandro
A
Salati
Michele
M
Fianchini
Aroldo
A
D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk
D010100:Oxygen