Indications for preoperative pulmonary function testing
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Updated: Oct 29, 2026

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
1Department of Medicine, New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Atelectasis, hypoxemia, pneumonia, and respiratory failure are pulmonary complications that can follow surgical procedures. This article discusses controversies surrounding the use of preoperative pulmonary function testing to identify high-risk surgical candidates. Physiologic assessments based upon the nature of the contemplated procedure are recommended.
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