Preoperative determination of the ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2) as a predictor for postoperative complications after major surgery [Cochrane Library].

Abstract

The ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2) can be assessed with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). In many trials preoperative exercise testing was conducted in patients before major elective surgery. After the surgery complications were registered and assessed in regard to the preoperative test results. Some CPET variables (maximum oxygen consumption or the oxygen consumption at the anaerobic treshold) are relatively well established for preoperative risk assessment and have some predictive value in regard to postoperative complications. The VE/VCO2 is a parameter that has gained some interest in preoperative risk-stratification in the last years. We therefore aim to summarize current evidence.