Influence of lung resection on pulmonary circulation and lung function at rest and on exercise

Since June 1972, preoperative evaluation of the pulmonary hemodynamics and lung function tests at rest and on exercise were done in patients undergoing thoracotomy with lung resection. 49 patients have been investigated postoperatively, 28 patients had pre- and postoperative rightsided heart catheterization. 80% of the patients were feeling well and more than 50% were working again. The pulmonary hemodynamics showed postoperatively already at rest an increase of the pulmonary artery pressures, the cardiac index reached on exercise no longer the preoperative values and there was an increase of PCV pressures on exercise compared to preoperative. Stroke volume, heart rate, AV difference for oxygen, oxygen uptake, PaO2, V, VD/VT, AadO2, and diffusing capacity for CO steady state on exercise showed no statistical significant changes. The extent of lung resection showed no different influence on the pulmonary circulation for the time period investigated.