Retrospective investigation of pulmonary resection in patients with high total pulmonary vascular resistance during preoperative unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion

Purpose  The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications for pulmonary resection (lobectomy) in patients with increased total pulmonary vascular resistance (TPVR) during a preoperative unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion (UPAO) test. According to our previous report, the feasibility of performing lobectomy in patients with a high risk of cardiopulmonary complications is determined on the basis of the increase in TPVR after 15 min of obstruction during the UPAO test (occluded TPVR). Methods  A total of 19 high-risk [occluded TPVR ≥700 dynes/s/cm⁻⁵/m² (dynes)] patients who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy were studied and a detailed analysis of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications was performed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on the occluded TPVR (700–799 dynes, 800–899 dynes, 900–999 dynes, or ≥1000 dynes) to compare the incidence of postoperative complications. Results  Two patients died after surgery. One of them had an occluded TPVR >1000 dynes and died 313 days after right upper lobectomy; the other had an occluded TPVR of 783 dynes and died 20 days after right pneumonectomy. Postoperative cardiopulmonary complications occurred in 6 of 19 patients (31.6%), and all three patients with an occluded TPVR ≥900 dynes developed cardiopulmonary complications. Conclusion  Limited surgery should be performed in patients with an occluded TPVR ≥900 dynes.