What are the risks of pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery? Prolonged ventilation can be a major obstacle

One of the most worrisome complications of cardiac surgery is a decline in pulmonary function severe enough to necessitate prolonged mechanical ventilator support. Risk factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation include advanced age, preoperative decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, postoperative renal dysfunction, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary complications that can occur after cardiac surgery include atelectasis, diaphragmatic dysfunction, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and infection. The most common cause of postoperative pulmonary edema is preexisting poor left ventricular function, coupled with the negative inotropic effects of anesthesia and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Chest radiographs can detect many of these complications; however, CT scanning may be better at detecting bibasilar atelectasis.