Evaluation of myocardial work changes after lung resection—the significance of surgical approach: an echocardiographic comparison between VATS and thoracotomy

Considering the controversial benefits of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), we intended to evaluate the impact of surgical approach on cardiac function after lung resection using myocardial work analysis.

Echocardiographic data of 48 patients (25 thoracotomy vs. 23 VATS) were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) within 2 weeks before and after surgery, including two-dimensional speckle tracking and tissue Doppler imaging.

No notable changes in left ventricular (LV) function, assessed mainly using the LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global myocardial work index (GMWI), and global work efficiency (GWE), were observed. Right ventricular (RV) TTE values, including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tricuspid annular systolic velocity (TASV), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), and RV free-wall GLS (RVFWGLS), indicated greater RV function impairment in the thoracotomy group than in the VATS group [TAPSE(mm) 17.90 ± 3.80 vs. 21.00 ± 3.48, p = 0.006; d = 0.84; TASV(cm/s): 12.40 ± 2.90 vs. 14.70 ± 2.40, p = 0.004, d = 0.86; RVGLS(%): − 16.00 ± 4.50 vs. − 19.40 ± 2.30, p = 0.012, d = 0.20; RVFWGLS(%): − 11.50 ± 8.50 vs. − 18.31 ± 5.40, p = 0.009, d = 0.59; respectively].

Unlike RV function, LV function remained preserved after lung resection. The thoracotomy group exhibited greater RV function impairment than did the VATS group. Further studies should evaluate the long-term impact of surgical approach on cardiac function.