TABLE 1


Criterion Center A Center B Center C Reason
Smoker? no no no Reduces chances of post op smoking; indicates patient's commitment to recovery
FEV-1 of predicted1 20-30% less than 35% 15-35% There is a FEV-1 “window” of patients suited for LVRS who are neither too ill nor too healthy.
PCO22 less than 55 mm (relative) less than 50 mm Too much CO2—air exchange is poor; post op may require ventilator
Steriods no NA NA Use of steriods may slow healing process after surgery
Pre operative Rehabilitation yes yes yes Increases strength, stamina, endurance motivation; improves post op healing.
Age less than 75 years less than 75 years less than 75 years Post op complications (such as pneumonia and blood clots) may arise in older patients whose endurance and stamina is weak.

1FEV-1 Forced Expiratory Volume 1—the amount of air exhaled in the first second of forced expiration.
2PCO2 Partial pressure of CO2 measures whether there is too much CO2 and not enough O2 (oxygen) in the bloodstream