title: [Value of right ventricular ejection fraction in the preoperative risk evaluation for pulmonary resection].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the preoperative right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) as a predictor of postoperative complications after lung resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  RVEF was consecutively assessed in 254 patients before pulmonary resection by echocardiography. According to preoperative right ventricular function, the patients were divided into: group Ia (n=82, RVEF≥45%), group Ib (n=92,RVEF < 45%), group Ic (n=42, RVEF < 40%),and group Id (n=38, RVEF≤35%). Postoperative RVEF was detected again in 122 patients 3 weeks later after lung resection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative RVEF of patients with postoperative complications was significantly higher than that of patitents without postoperative complications (P < 0.001). Among group Ia, Ib, Ic, and Id, there were significant differences in postoperative morbidities (P < 0.005). Patients with a preoperative RVEF less than 40% had a higher incidence of complications than those with RVEF over 40% (P < 0.005). Of the 122 patients, postoperative RVEF was remarkably lower than preoperative RVEF (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preoperative RVEF may be a predictor of postoperative complications for lung resection. RVEF higher than 40% is considered as a safe range for pneumonectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong 525000, P.R.China.
authors.forename: Maosheng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Quanzhong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Qingchun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu