[Pulmonary complications after heart surgery]

The authors present a detailed analysis of pulmonary complications after open-heart surgery and of their risk factors. The results of the presented study indicate that COPD patients with functional impairments are more sensitive to complicated postoperative outcome and to respiratory infections, in general. There is a clear relationship between artificial violation of the pleural cavity, diaphragmatic dysfunction and pleural effusion. Diaphragmatic dysfunction appears more frequently in mammarocoronary bypass patients in consequence of pleurotomy. The incidence of dysfunction could be reduced by the use of phrenic nerve insulation. Patients with pulmonary complications suffer from serious pulmonary function deficit. The possibilities of identification of the patients at risk, as well as the prevention and prophylaxis are analysed. (Tab. 7, Fig. 2, Ref. 71.)