Luiza Helena Degani-Costa1, Sonia Maria Faresin2, Luiz Fernando dos Reis Falcão3. 1. Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, USA. 2. Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 3. Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, USA. Electronic address: luizfernandofalcao@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In daily clinical practice, pulmonary complications related to surgical procedure are common, increasing the morbidity and mortality of patients. Assessment of the risk of pulmonary complications is an important step in the preoperative evaluation. Thus, we review the most relevant aspects of preoperative assessment of the patient with lung disease. CONTENT: Pulmonary risk stratification depends on clinical symptoms and patient's physical status. Age, preexisting respiratory diseases, nutritional status, and continued medical treatment are usually more important than additional tests. Pulmonary function tests are of great relevance when high abdominal or thoracic procedures are scheduled, particularly when lung resection are considered. CONCLUSION: Understanding the perioperative evaluation of the potential risk for developing pulmonary complication allows the medical team to choose the adequate anesthetic technique and surgical and clinical care required by each patient, thereby reducing adverse respiratory outcomes.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In daily clinical practice, pulmonary complications related to surgical procedure are common, increasing the morbidity and mortality of patients. Assessment of the risk of pulmonary complications is an important step in the preoperative evaluation. Thus, we review the most relevant aspects of preoperative assessment of the patient with lung disease. CONTENT: Pulmonary risk stratification depends on clinical symptoms and patient's physical status. Age, preexisting respiratory diseases, nutritional status, and continued medical treatment are usually more important than additional tests. Pulmonary function tests are of great relevance when high abdominal or thoracic procedures are scheduled, particularly when lung resection are considered. CONCLUSION: Understanding the perioperative evaluation of the potential risk for developing pulmonary complication allows the medical team to choose the adequate anesthetic technique and surgical and clinical care required by each patient, thereby reducing adverse respiratory outcomes.