title: Predicting postoperative pulmonary complications in high-risk populations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective is to describe prediction models for surgical patients who have suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) at risk for postoperative respiratory complications and for surgical patients at risk for postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Because of the increased rate of severe perioperative respiratory complications in patients with OSA, the American Society of Anesthesiologists issued practice guidelines for perioperative management. When OSA is diagnosed preoperatively, the rate of postoperative pulmonary complications is low and not associated with OSA severity. However, OSA continues to be an important risk because a substantial proportion of patients in the contemporary surgical population have undiagnosed OSA. Strategies based on preoperative and immediate postoperative clinical signs and symptoms can help identify patients with a high likelihood of OSA, postoperative desaturations, and pulmonary complications. ARDS is another serious postoperative complication associated with high mortality rate and limited treatment options, and its prevention is critical. Practice changes have led to a dramatic reduction in ARDS incidence. A recently developed prediction model can help identify high-risk patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence is emerging that early identification of modifiable risk factors and implementation of 'protective' management strategies may lead to reduction of severe postoperative pulmonary complications.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Toby N
authors: TN
authors: Weingarten
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Daryl J
authors: DJ
authors: Kor
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Bhargavi
authors: B
authors: Gali
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Juraj
authors: J
authors: Sprung
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017286:Polysomnography; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D012306:Risk; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology