[Operative risk in patients with pulmonary disease]

Abstract

Surgical patients with pulmonary disease are at increased risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications and some patients may need postoperative ventilatory support. Stratifying and planning the right strategies for these patient categories are important since complications increase morbidity and mortality. Predictive tests, however, are few and preoperative interventions are of limited value. This brief review summarizes the current knowledge on perioperative measures to reduce pulmonary complications.