Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: STUDY DESIGN: patients were studied prospectively up to 12 months after surgery. SETTING: preoperative evaluation, surgery and postoperative care took place in our university hospital. PATIENTS: patient selection was based on severe dyspnea and airway obstruction despite optimal medical treatment, lung overinflation and completed rehabilitation programme. PATIENTS with severe hypercarbia (PCO2>50 mmHg) were excluded. Nineteen rehabilitated patients who fulfilled our inclusion criteria but postponed or denied LVRS were followed up clinically. INTERVENTIONS: MEASURES: Outcome was measured by dyspnea evaluation, 6-minute-walking distance and pulmonary function tests. RESULTS: Twelve months postoperatively dyspnea and mobility improved significantly (MRC score from 3.3+/-0.7 to 2.12+/-0.8, 6-min-walk from 251+/-190 to 477+/-189 m). These results were superior compared to the results of the conservatively treated patients. Significant improvement could also be documented in airway obstruction (FEV1 from 960+/-369 to 1438+/-610 ml) and overinflation (TLC from 133+/-14 to 118+/-21% predicted and RV from 280+/-56 to 186+/-59% predicted). CONCLUSIONS: LVRS is an effective and promising treatment option for selected patients with end-stage emphysema and could be offered as an alternative and / or bridge to lung transplantation.
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Authors | S Demertzis, H Wilkens, M Lindenmeir, T Graeter, H J Schäfers |
Journal | The Journal of cardiovascular surgery
(J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino))
Vol. 39
Issue 6
Pg. 843-7
(Dec 1998)
ISSN: 0021-9509 [Print] Italy |
PMID | 9972913
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Dyspnea
(etiology, physiopathology, surgery)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pneumonectomy
(methods)
- Prospective Studies
- Pulmonary Emphysema
(complications, physiopathology, surgery)
- Respiratory Function Tests
- Treatment Outcome
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