• Andreas Güldner, Peter M Spieth, and Gama de Abreu Marcelo M University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse, 7.
• University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse, 74 01307 Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: andreas.gueldner@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
• Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 2015 Sep 1; 29 (3): 397-410.

AbstractThis educational narrative review provides a summary of non-ventilatory strategies to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). It highlights patient- and procedure-related risk factors for PPCs that are non-modifiable, potentially modifiable, or well modifiable. Non-ventilatory strategies, mainly based on the modification of risk factors, play a key role in reducing PPCs. Non-modifiable risk factors, most importantly age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, and risk of the procedure, should be recognized and patients intensively screened for the potential to optimize other, potentially or well-modifiable, risk factors. Potentially modifiable risk factors, mainly comorbidities and the surgical approach, increase the risk of PPCs. Patient-related factors can be improved while procedure-related factors may be adapted in high-risk patients. Well-modifiable risk factors, mainly certain anesthesia techniques, for example, general anesthesia, intravenous opioids or liberal fluid management, and smoking or alcohol abuse, should be avoided as far as possible in order to prevent PPCs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

19 keywords...

hide…