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Table 2 Definition of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), Jammer et al. [24]

From: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level to prevent expiratory flow limitation during cardiac surgery: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial (EFLcore study)

Complication

Definition

Respiratory infection

Patient has received antibiotics for a suspected respiratory infection and met one or more of the following criteria: new or changed sputum, new or changed lung opacities, fever, white blood cell count > 12 × 109 l-1

Respiratory failure

Postoperative PaO2 < 8 kPa (60 mmHg) on room air, a PaO2:FIO2 ratio < 40 kPa (300 mmHg) or arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation measured with pulse oximetry < 90% and requiring oxygen therapy

Pleural effusion

Chest radiograph demonstrating blunting of the costophrenic angle, loss of sharp silhouette of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm in upright position, evidence of displacement of adjacent anatomical structures or (in supine position) a hazy opacity in one hemithorax with preserved vascular shadows

Atelectasis

Lung opacification with a shift of the mediastinum, hilum, or hemidiaphragm toward the affected area, and compensatory over-inflation in the adjacent non-atelectatic lung

Pneumothorax

Air in the pleural space with no vascular bed surrounding the visceral pleura

Bronchospasm

Newly detected expiratory wheezing treated with bronchodilators

Aspiration pneumonitis

Acute lung injury after the inhalation of regurgitated gastric contents

  1. PaO2 arterial partial oxygen pressure, FiO2 fraction of inspired oxygen