Pulmonary Function Testing: Poor Lung Function Test Results Increase Postoperative Death

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 30 Oct 2006 - 10:00 PDT


Poor Lung Function Test Results Increase Postoperative Death

New research shows preoperative pulmonary function tests (PFT) with poor results are associated with increased postoperative death and other complications. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation performed preoperative PFTs on 2,742 patients undergoing primary elective cardiac surgery. Variables related to hospital death, respiratory failure, and long-term mortality, among others, were also analyzed. The study showed an increased risk of postoperative mortality, pulmonary complications, and sternal infection in those patients with poor PFT findings. Researchers conclude that PTFs should be performed to screen for undetected pulmonary disease.

Inmates Show Lack of Effort in PFTs

Incarcerated patients (ICP) are more likely to exhibit inadequate patient effort in pulmonary function tests (PFT), when compared with unincarcerated controls, according to a new study. Considering that PFTs are effort-dependent and that there are multiple motivations for ICPs to intentionally perform poorly, researchers from Mount Vernon Hospital in New York, compared PFT scores of 156 ICPs with scores from matched unincarcerated patients. Results showed that 86.5 percent of ICPs had an abnormal PFT, compared with 70.5 percent of controls. Researchers also found that 31 percent of the abnormal PFT in ICPs were due to inadequate effort, compared with 4 percent in controls.

Race-Specific Spirometry Increases Diagnostic Accuracy

New research suggests that the use of race/ethnic-specific reference equations increase the accuracy of spirometric interpretation. Researchers from the Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas conducted a retrospective analysis of physician interpretation of spirometry before and after a change in the reported reference values. When references were not race/ethnic-specific, physicians were instructed to use adjustment factors. Overall, the use of race/ethnic-specific values led to an increase in physician diagnostic accuracy, which was reflected more in the diagnostic accuracy of identifying restriction.

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CHEST 2006 abstract briefs

Contact: Jennifer Stawarz
American College of Chest Physicians

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