Early to midterm results of cardiac surgery with concomitant pulmonary resection

Abstract

Background: We report our experience of cardiac surgery with concomitant pulmonary resection, based on analysis of the results.

Methods: Eleven patients (1 woman, 10 men) underwent cardiac surgery simultaneously with pulmonary resection; ten of them through median sternotomy. The cancer pathology consisted of non-small cell carcinoma (n = 10), and benign teratoma (n = 1). All lung lesions were removed using a wedge resection. Cardiac procedures consisted of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 4), aortic valve replacement (n = 3), mitral valve plasty (n = 2), total arch replacement (n = 1), and descending aorta replacement (n = 1). Lung wedge resections were performed after induction with protamine sulfate.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 19 ± 11 months (2-34). There was no operative mortality and no major cardiac complications. Three patients underwent a subsequent lobectomy through lateral thoracotomy. There were two postoperative deaths: one was from an unknown cause, 8 months postoperatively and another was from a lung cancer recurrence, 9 months after surgery. There were two local recurrences, 9 months and 14 months, postoperatively. The mean cancer-free period was 17 ± 10 (2-32) months.

Conclusion: Rates of operative mortality and morbidity following cardiac surgery with concomitant pulmonary resection were favorable, and early to midterm results were acceptable.