Effect of Cardiac Expansion on Postsurgical Pulmonary Resection Recovery

In patients undergoing lung resection, even when lung and ventricular function are normal, there may be a prolonged delay in postoperative recovery. The effect of left ventricular extension disorders on recovery after pulmonary resection was investigated.

The postoperative recovery of ninety patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction and exercise tolerance who underwent anatomical pulmonary resection was evaluated according to the grade of left ventricular expansion (E/e').

Left ventricular extension was normal (≤8) in 53 cases, moderately restricted (8-12) in 36 cases and severely restricted (>12) in 9 cases. No significant difference was found in the postoperative complication rate. However, the severely restricted group had a significantly higher duration of oxygen administration, intensive care unit stay, and postoperative hospital stay, which were found to be independent predictors of ventricular expansion.

Left ventricular expansion dysfunction had a negative effect on postoperative recovery.