Respiratory system compliance during anesthesia induction and postoperative mechanical ventilation needs: An observational study

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Respiratory system compliance (Crs) is a simple indicator of lung flexibility. However, it remains unclear whether a low Crs during anesthesia induction (iCrs) is associated with an increased risk of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted using a local database. All mechanically ventilated postoperative ICU patients were included in this study. The duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, and in‐hospital mortality were compared between the low iCrs group (<25% of distribution) and the normal iCrs group. Results A total of 315 patients were classified into the low iCrs (<39 mL/cmH2O) group (n = 78) or the normal iCrs group (n = 237). Low iCrs was associated with a higher chance of mechanical ventilation in 28 days (log‐rank test, p < 0.001). The duration of hospital stay was similar. Multivariate analysis showed that in‐hospital mortality was higher in the low iCrs group than in the normal iCrs group (adjusted odds ratio, 6.04 [1.13, 32.26]; p = 0.04). Conclusion Low iCrs was associated with an increased risk of requiring postoperative mechanical ventilation. An additional result of poor survival related to low iCrs may require further study.

Keywords

• mechanical ventilation
• mortality
• respiratory system compliance
• surgery