Pulmonary Risk Assessment and Management

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) include atelectasis, bronchospasm, tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and respiratory failure. The reported incidence varies widely, with estimates ranging from 2 % up to 30 % of patients undergoing general anesthesia in different reports. Although greater attention is given to cardiovascular risk stratification, PPCs are likely more common and costly than cardiovascular complications and incur substantial morbidity and mortality. Compared with cardiovascular risk stratification, fewer well-validated tools are available to predict PPCs. However, physicians need to be vigilant of the consequences and the prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications.