Different DLCO Parameters as Predictors of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients with Lung Cancer.

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have investigated methods of predicting postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in lung cancer surgery, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and low forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) being recognized as risk factors. However, predicting complications in COPD patients with preserved FEV₁ poses challenges. This study considered various diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL_CO) parameters as predictors of pulmonary complication risks in mild COPD patients undergoing lung resection.

Methods: From January 2011 to December 2019, 2,798 patients undergoing segmentectomy or lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated. Focusing on 709 mild COPD patients, excluding no COPD and moderate/severe cases, 3 models incorporating DL_CO, predicted postoperative DL_CO (ppoDL_CO), and DL_CO divided by the alveolar volume (DL_CO/VA) were created for logistic regression. The Akaike information criterion and Bayes information criterion were analyzed to assess model fit, with lower values considered more consistent with actual data.

Results: Significantly higher proportions of men, current smokers, and patients who underwent an open approach were observed in the PPC group. In multivariable regression, male sex, an open approach, DL_CO <80%, ppoDL_CO <60%, and DL_CO/VA <80% significantly influenced PPC occurrence. The model using DL_CO/VA had the best fit.

Conclusion: Different DL_CO parameters can predict PPCs in mild COPD patients after lung resection for NSCLC. The assessment of these factors using a multivariable logistic regression model suggested DL_CO/VA as the most valuable predictor.