Abstract
Most patients with severe pulmonary emphysema referred for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) have a long-standing history of cigarette smoking. Coronary artery disease (CAD) predisposes to perioperative cardiac complications. Since symptoms and signs of myocardial ischemia are often absent in patients with severe ventilatory impairment even during exercise, we investigated the prevalence of CAD in candidates for LVRS by angiography. We prospectively studied the prevalence of CAD by angiography and assessed the CAD risk factor profile in 41 candidates for LVRS (26 men, 15 women; mean age, 66+/-6.8 years; range, 52 to 76 years), who had no current symptoms or a history of myocardial ischemia. In six patients (15%), asymptomatic but significant coronary lesions (> 70% stenosis) were detected. In five patients, these findings altered the clinical management. Patients with CAD had significant higher cholesterol levels, tended to have smoked more, and had more often additional vascular risk factors. We found a high prevalence of angiographically significant but clinically silent CAD in this particular population of heavy smokers with advanced emphysema.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
