Preoperative predictive factors for intensive care unit admission after pulmonary resection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the use of a set of preoperative variables can predict the need for postoperative ICU admission.


METHODS
This was a prospective observational cohort study of 120 patients undergoing elective pulmonary resection between July of 2009 and April of 2012. Prediction of ICU admission was based on the presence of one or more of the following preoperative characteristics: predicted pneumonectomy; severe/very severe COPD; severe restrictive lung disease; FEV1 or DLCO predicted to be < 40% postoperatively; SpO2 on room air at rest < 90%; need for cardiac monitoring as a precautionary measure; or American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status ≥ 3. The gold standard for mandatory admission to the ICU was based on the presence of one or more of the following postoperative characteristics: maintenance of mechanical ventilation or reintubation; acute respiratory failure or need for noninvasive ventilation; hemodynamic instability or shock; intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications (clinical or surgical); or a recommendation by the anesthesiologist or surgeon to continue treatment in the ICU.


RESULTS
Among the 120 patients evaluated, 24 (20.0%) were predicted to require ICU admission, and ICU admission was considered mandatory in 16 (66.6%) of those 24. In contrast, among the 96 patients for whom ICU admission was not predicted, it was required in 14 (14.5%). The use of the criteria for predicting ICU admission showed good accuracy (81.6%), sensitivity of 53.3%, specificity of 91%, positive predictive value of 66.6%, and negative predictive value of 85.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of preoperative criteria for predicting the need for ICU admission after elective pulmonary resection is feasible and can reduce the number of patients staying in the ICU only for monitoring.
Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Department of Pulmonology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina - UNIFESP-EPM, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine - São Paulo, Brazil.
Liana
L
Pinheiro
Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Department of Pulmonology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina - UNIFESP-EPM, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine - São Paulo, Brazil.
Ilka Lopes
IL
Santoro
Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, Deputy Dean for Undergraduate Programs. Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Federal University of São Paulo - São Paulo, Brazil.
João Aléssio Juliano
JA
Perfeito
Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Department of Pulmonology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina - UNIFESP-EPM, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine - São Paulo, Brazil.
Meyer
M
Izbicki
Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Department of Pulmonology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina - UNIFESP-EPM, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine - São Paulo, Brazil.
Roberta Pulcheri
RP
Ramos
Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Department of Pulmonology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina - UNIFESP-EPM, Federal University of São Paulo Paulista School of Medicine - São Paulo, Brazil.
Sonia Maria
SM
Faresin
D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
Intensive care units; Risk factors; Thoracic surgery