Cardiac Morphology in Lung Volume Reduction Surgery for Endstage Emphysema

Abstract

Lung volume reduction surgery for endstage emphysema produces significant improvements in various pulmonary parameters, but its effects on cardiac morphology and function have not been clearly defined. Ten patients scheduled for lung volume reduction surgery underwent pulmonary function testing, right-heart catheterization, and electron beam computed tomography of the heart. These studies were repeated 12–16 weeks after the procedure. Quantitative assessments of right and left ventricular function and left ventricular muscle mass were obtained. Postoperatively, all patients showed significant improvements in forced expiratory volume at one minute compared to the preoperative value (1.57 ± 0.24 L versus 1.10 ± 0.21 L), predicted residual lung volume (115% ± 15% versus 205% ± 15%), and 6-minute walk test (318 ± 17 m versus 267 ± 24 m). There were no significant differences between postoperative and preoperative right ventricular end-diastolic volumes (167.3 ± 21.2 mL versus 169.2 ± 17.3 mL) or left ventricular end-diastolic volumes (112.5 ± 10.2 mL versus 119.2 ± 9.7 mL).