Risk Factors for Post-Op Pulmonary Complications

• Smoking: 1.4-4.3x increased risk of complications
  • Risk does not decrease until 8 wks after smoking cessation
• COPD: 2.7 -4.7x increased risk of complications
• ASA Class >2:
• Age >70 y/o: although age > 70 has been statistically identified as a risk factor, pulmonary complications are more strongly related to coexisting conditions than to chronologic age, and therefore advanced age alone is not a reason to withhold surgery

*Note: Obesity does increase risk of post-op pulmonary complications

References

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