Table 1 Definition of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) [36]
PPCs | Definition |
|---|---|
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) | Acute onset of hypoxemia (partial pressure of oxygen, arterial (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ≤ 300 mmHg) with new bilateral infiltrates in the setting of either a normal pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP ≤ 18 mmHg) or the absence of suspected of left atrial hypertension when PAWP was not available |
Atelectasis | Collapse of the alveoli; 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 |
Bronchospasm | Newly detected expiratory wheeze treated with bronchodilators |
Pleural effusion | Chest radiograph demonstrating blunting of the costophrenic angle, evidence of displacement of adjacent anatomical structures, or (in supine position) a hazy opacity in one hemithorax with preserved vascular shadows |
Pneumothorax | A collection of air in the pleural space (the area with no vascular bed surrounding the visceral pleura) |
Respiratory failure | Postoperative PaO2 60 mmHg on room air, a PaO2/FiO2 < 300 mmHg, or arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation measured with pulse oximetry < 90% and requiring oxygen therapy |
Respiratory infection | Treatment with antibiotics for a respiratory infection, plus at least one of the following criteria: new or changed sputum, new or changed lung opacities, fever, and leukocyte count > 12,000/mm3 |