Rationale and Comments

Pulmonary function tests can be helpful in determining risk in cardiac surgery, but patients with no pulmonary disease are unlikely to benefit and do not justify testing. Symptoms attributed to cardiac disease that are respiratory in nature should be better characterized with pulmonary function tests.

Sponsoring Organizations

• Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Sources

• Expert consensus

Disciplines

• Pulmonary medicine
• Surgical

References

• Shahian DM, et al. The society of thoracic surgeons 2008 cardiac surgery risk models: Part 1–coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2009;88:S2-22.
  
• O’Brien SM, et al. The society of thoracic surgeons 2008 cardiac surgery risk models: Part 2–isolated valve surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2009;88:S23-42.
  
• Ried M, et al. Mild-to-moderate COPD as a risk factor for increased 30-day mortality in cardiac surgery. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2010;58:387-91.
  
• Adabag AS, et al. Preoperative pulmonary function and mortality after cardiac surgery. Am Heart J. 2010;159(4):691-7.