Factors associated with postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of different postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and their associated risk factors in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] 2 h. Our study patients had a 47% 2-yr mortality rate. We determined specific risk factors for each PPC by analyzing potential preoperative and intraoperative risk factors. Pulmonary factors alone do not predict the likelihood of PPCs in severe COPD patients. Multiple logistic regression identified composite scoring systems, such as the ASA physical status, as the best preoperative predictors of PPCs, probably because they include both pulmonary and nonpulmonary factors. During the intraoperative period, avoiding general anesthesia with tracheal intubation may decrease the risk of postoperative bronchospasm. Shortening the duration of surgery and anesthesia may decrease the risk of prolonged ICU stay.