Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test predicts postoperative complications in patients with lung cancer qualified for lobectomy

Introduction. Patients considered for radical surgery for lung cancer need a functional evaluation to identify those at increased risk of postoperative complications. Material and methods. We performed an analysis of clinical data of 1214 patients who underwent a single lobectomy for lung cancer. To assess the risk of complications, we used the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT). Results. 254 pulmonary and 51 cardiovascular complications occurred in 216 (17.8%) patients. In 204 patients with a CAT score ≥12 complications occurred more often than in patients with a lower score (26.5% vs. 16.0%; p < 0.001). Conclusions. In patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer, pulmonary complications occurred much more frequently than cardiovascular complications. Patients with a CAT score ≥12 had a higher rate of postoperative complications as compared to those with a lower score.