Thoracic Surgery Flashcards
(136 cards)
Leading cause of cancer deaths in the US
Bronchogenic tumors
Is it better for prognosis to resect or radiate/chemo bronchogenic tumors?
resect
Advantages of VATS vs. open surgery
Decrease in post-op complications:
- Dysrhythmias
- MI
- PE
- Pneumonia
- Empyema
COPD patients are how many times more at risk of getting lung cancer
4x
Risk factors for bronchogenic tumors
Smoking, air pollution, industrial chemicals
If lung cancer patient also needs coronary bypass, which procedure should be done first?
- Coronary bypass
- 6 week delay if this is needed
What electrolyte abnormality occurs in up to 25% of lung cancer patients? What are the signs and symptoms?
Hypercalcemia
S/S: polyuria, polydipsia, confusion, vomiting, abdominal cramping, bradycardia
Smokers should be evaluated for what conditions prior to thoracic surgery?
HTN or ischemic heart disease
Patients with history of COPD need what type of testing prior to thoracic surgery?
Stress testing
Why do patients requiring thoracic surgery for lung cancer require endocrine evaluation?
To rule out para-neoplastic syndromes caused by some lung tumors
- Can cause carcinoid syndrome
Airway evaluation required for mediastinal masses
Radiographic
To determine if there is airway infringement
Symptoms of COPD
- Paradoxical breathing
- Tympanic chest percussion
- Rhonchi
- Wheezing
Symptoms of Cor pulmonale
- JVD
- Peripheral edema
- Split S2
- Rales
What are we looking for on chest x-ray of patient with lung cancer?
Evaluating for:
- airway infringement
- CHF
- pneumothorax
- tracheal shift
- PA enlargement
What does PA enlargement indicate on CXR?
Sign of increased pulmonary vascular resistance
EKG abnormality seen in RVH
Tall R in V1
EKG abnormality seen in R atrial hypertrophy
Biphasic P in V1
EKG abnormality combo indicative of increased risk of ischemia/infarction
Pathologic Q waves + LVH
Other EKG abnormalities we are looking for pre-op
S-T depression, BBB, T wave inversion
Best initial tool to evaluate pulmonary HTN?
Caveat?
Echo is best initial tool
BUT, higher level studies may need to follow
What room air ABG value indicates poor function in a COPD pt?
CO2 >45
Lab values indicative of increased risk of post-op complications
- SpO2 <90
- Albumin <3.6 g/dL–> increases risk 2.5 times
- BUN >22 mg/dL
- Renal function labs elevated esp. in chemo
- Electrolytes (Na, K, Ca especially)
Why does low albumin place patient at higher postop risk of complications?
Makes them prone to third-spacing and pulmonary edema
Which test is best predictor of pulmonary function?
No one test is good predictor
- Multi-modal testing is best