A. Brunelli

Prediction of major cardiovascular events after lung resection using a modified scoring system.

BACKGROUNDnCardiovascular complications occur in 10% to 15% of patients after major lung resection. We evaluated the utility of a revised scoring system (thoracic revised cardiac risk index; ThRCRI) in identifying patients at increased risk for major cardiovascular complications.nnnMETHODSnWe analyzed outcomes from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Database for the period 2003 to 2011 for elective major lung resection. The ThRCRI risk score was based on weighted values for serum creatinine, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and extent of lung resection, and was stratified into the following 4 risk categories: 0 (A); 1 to 1.5 (B); 2 to 2.5 (C); and >2.5 (D). Major cardiovascular complications included myocardial infarction, adult respiratory distress syndrome, ventricular arrhythmia requiring treatment, and all-cause death.nnnRESULTSnA total of 26,085 patients (mean age 65.4±11.4 years; 51.3% men) underwent lobectomy (21,679; 83.2%), bilobectomy (1,446; 5.5%) or pneumonectomy (1,697; 6.5%). Major cardiovascular complications occurred in 1,125 patients (4.3%). ThRCRI scores in patients without and with major cardiovascular complications were 0.6±0.9 and 1.1±1.1 (p<0.0001). Score categories yielded incremental risks of major cardiovascular complications (A: 2.9%; B: 5.8%; C: 11.9%; D: 11.1%; p<0.0001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe ThRCRI score stratified risk moderately well for major postoperative cardiovascular events after major lung resection. Use of this scoring system might help in identifying patients who would benefit from additional preoperative evaluation and from closer perioperative monitoring.

Multicentric evaluation of the impact of central tumour location when comparing rates of N1 upstaging in patients undergoing video-assisted and open surgery for clinical Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVESnLarge retrospective series have indicated lower rates of cN0 to pN1 nodal upstaging after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) compared with open resections for Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of our multicentre study was to investigate whether the presumed lower rate of N1 upstaging after VATS disappears after correction for central tumour location in a multivariable analysis.nnnMETHODSnConsecutive patients operated for PET-CT based clinical Stage I NSCLC were selected from prospectively managed surgical databases in 11 European centres. Central tumour location was defined as contact with bronchovascular structures on computer tomography and/or visibility on standard bronchoscopy.nnnRESULTSnEight hundred and ninety-five patients underwent pulmonary resection by VATS (nu2009=u2009699, 9% conversions) or an open technique (nu2009=u2009196) in 2014. Incidence of nodal pN1 and pN2 upstaging was 8% and 7% after VATS and 15% and 6% after open surgery, respectively. pN1 was found in 27% of patients with central tumours. Less central tumours were operated on by VATS compared with the open technique (12% vs 28%, Pu2009<u20090.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that only tumour location had a significant impact on N1 upstaging (OR 6.2, confidence interval 3.6-10.8; Pu2009<u20090.001) and that the effect of surgical technique (VATS versus open surgery) was no longer significant when accounting for tumour location.nnnCONCLUSIONSnA quarter of patients with central clinical Stage I NSCLC was upstaged to pN1 at resection. Central tumour location was the only independent factor associated with N1 upstaging, undermining the evidence for lower N1 upstaging after VATS resections. Studies investigating N1 upstaging after VATS compared with open surgery should be interpreted with caution due to possible selection bias, i.e. relatively more central tumours in the open group with a higher chance of N1 upstaging.

Reply: To PMID 24565405.

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