ARDS after Pneumonectomy: How to Prevent It? Development of a Nomogram to Predict the Risk of ARDS after Pneumonectomy for Lung Cancer

Simple Summary In the modern era, characterized by parenchymal-sparing procedures, in some cases pneumonectomy remains the only therapeutic approach to achieving oncological radicality. One of the most feared complications is undoubtedly respiratory failure and ARDS. Its cause after pneumonectomy is still unclear, and the study of risk factors is a subject of debate. In this paper, we evaluate the main risk factors for ARDS of a large cohort of patients and we classify them in four classes of growing risk in order to quantify their postoperative risk of ARDS and facilitate their global management. (1) Background: The cause of ARDS after pneumonectomy is still unclear, and the study of risk factors is a subject of debate. (2) Methods: We reviewed a large panel of pre-, peri- and postoperative data of 211 patients who underwent pneumonectomy during the period 2014-2021. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to quantify the association between preoperative parameters and the risk of developing ARDS, in addition to odds ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals. A backward stepwise selection approach was used to limit the number of variables in the final multivariable model to significant independent predictors of ARDS. A nomogram was constructed based on the results of the final multivariable model, making it possible to estimate the probability of developing ARDS. Statistical significance was defined by a two-tailed p-value < 0.05. (3) Results: Out of 211 patients (13.3%), 28 developed ARDS. In the univariate analysis, increasing age, Charlson Comorbidity Index and ASA scores, DLCO < 75% predicted, preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP), lung perfusion and duration of surgery were associated with ARDS; a significant increase in ARDS was also observed with decreasing VO2max level. Multivariable analysis confirmed the role of ASA score, DLCO < 75% predicted, preoperative C-reactive protein and lung perfusion. Using the nomogram, we classified patients into four classes with rates of ARDS ranking from 2.0% to 34.0%. (4) Conclusions: Classification in four classes of growing risk allows a correct preoperative stratification of these patients in order to quantify the postoperative risk of ARDS and facilitate their global management.