Peak oxygen consumption (6 of 7 studies) and anaerobic threshold (4 of 6 studies) significantly predicted peri-operative morbidity and mortality in non-cardiopulmonary thoraco-abdominal surgery.
Systematic Review
Does cardiopulmonary exercise testing (VO2max and anaerobic threshold) predict peri-operative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing non-cardiopulmonary thoraco-abdominal surgery?
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters (VO2max and anaerobic threshold) are valid predictors of peri-operative risk in non-cardiopulmonary thoraco-abdominal surgery, potentially guiding care allocation.
This study reviews the predictive value of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and anaerobic threshold, obtained through cardiopulmonary exercise testing, in calculating peri-operative morbidity and mortality in non-cardiopulmonary thoraco-abdominal surgery. A literature review provided nine studies that investigated either one or both of these two variables across a wide range of surgical procedures. Six of the seven studies that reported sufficiently detailed results on peak oxygen consumption and four of the six studies that reported sufficiently detailed results on anaerobic threshold found them to be significant predictors. We conclude that peak oxygen consumption and possibly anaerobic threshold are valid predictors of peri-operative morbidity and mortality in non-cardiopulmonary thoraco-abdominal surgery. These indicators could potentially provide a means of allocating increased care to high-risk patients.
Smith et al. (Wed,) conducted a systematic review in non-cardiopulmonary thoraco-abdominal surgery. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (VO2max and anaerobic threshold) was evaluated on peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Peak oxygen consumption (6 of 7 studies) and anaerobic threshold (4 of 6 studies) significantly predicted peri-operative morbidity and mortality in non-cardiopulmonary thoraco-abdominal surgery.