Due to frequent pre-existing comorbidities and variable impairment of postoperative respiratory function thoracic surgical patients still encounter various complications which in high risk individuals may contribute to poor outcome. Postoperative management of patients undergoing lung resection may vary from simple and transient monitoring of vital functions in the recovery room to the highly s...

OBJECTIVE To determine if glucose management in postcardiothoracic surgery patients with a combined intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) insulin regimen reduces mortality and morbidity in patients with diabetes and stress-induced hyperglycemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Retrospective review of 614 consecutive patients who underwent cardiothoracic (CT) surgery in 2005 was performed to eval...

OBJECTIVE To identify preoperative and transoperative risks factors for postoperative complications developed in lung resection surgery. METHODS During 14 months; 189 patients underwent pulmonary resection and were enrolled to the study. After a clinical interview, patients were evaluated by laboratory, pulmonary function tests and radiography, submitted to a surgical procedure, and were foll...

Cardiac surgical procedures change respiratory mechanics, defecting in lung dysfunction. The physical therapists play an important role in the preparation and rehabilitation of individuals who are undergoing cardiac surgery, as they have a large quantity of techniques. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of breathing exercises with and without the use of devices, and respiratory mus...

INTRODUCTION To identify risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. DESIGN AND PATIENTS The population comprised 159 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, undergoing esophagectomy between January 1985 and December 2004. RESULTS Infections were the main cause of both complications and postoperative mortality....

OBJECTIVES B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs) are secreted by the human heart in response to ventricular wall stretch or myocardial ischaemia, and predict adverse cardiovascular events and death in the general population. Following non-cardiac surgical procedures, there is growing evidence supporting BNP measurement as a powerful independent predictor of death and perioperative complications. H...