Stair-climbing test to evaluate maximum aerobic capacity early after lung resection

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of reductio n in maximum oxygen consumption in the early postoperative period after lun g resection for lung carcinoma. Methods. A total of 115 patients who underwent lung resection (95 lobectomi es, 20 pneumonectomies) performed a maximal stair-climbing test the day bef ore operation and the day of discharge from the hospital (8 +/- 3.3 days af ter the operation). Results. The postoperative test showed a 15% reduction in maximum oxygen co nsumption ((V) over dot O(2)max) with respect to the preoperative test (Stu dent's t test, p < 0.0001). This reduction was greater after pneumonectomy (21.4%) than after lobectomy (14%) (Student's t test, p < 0.05). A multiple regression analysis showed that the only significant independent predictor s of both preoperative and postoperative (V) over dot O(2)max were the age of the patient and the level of arterial oxygen content. Conclusions. The early postoperative reduction in (V) over dot O(2)max was greater after pneumonectomy than after lobectomy and the exercise performan ce was significantly influenced by the level of arterial oxygen content bot h before and early after the operation. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.