Preoperative pulmonary update.
Postoperative pulmonary complications are an important source of surgical morbidity. In this paper, the authors review recent studies that shed light on emerging risk factors, a multifactorial index for respiratory failure, and the value of specific risk reduction strategies. Novel risk factors include advanced age, congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. Important risk reduction strategies include postoperative lung expansion maneuvers, the selective use of nasogastric tubes, epidural analgesia, and inspiratory muscle training.
Smetana
Gerald W
GW
Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. gsmetana@bidmc.harvard.edu
Conde
Michelle V
MV
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012307:Risk Factors