Prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary function in patients undergoing pneumonectomy

This paper addresses itself to the question of whether it is possible to calculate the postoperative values for cardiopulmonary function before surgery, Data of 29 patients were analyzed before and 6 months after pneumonectomy: whole body plethysmography, ergometry, blood gas analysis, right heart catheterization, and quantified perfusion scan of the lung. Using a simple formula, the postoperative value was calculated preoperatively and compared with the value actually measured 6 months postoperatively. The results showed a fairly good correlation for lung volumes, especially FEV1 (r = 0.66; P < 0.001), but no good predictability for the pulmonary hemodynamics (e.g., Pap = 38.6 +/- 9.8 mmHg preoperatively calculated vs. 29.9 +/- 6.3 mmHg postoperatively measured). These results and the predominant prognostic value of FEV1 are the basis of a suggested flow sheet for preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing pneumonectomy.