Utility of MVO2 vs. Ventilatory Efficiency (VE/VCO2) in Assessing Lung Resection Risk

VE/VCO2 slope is an indirect parameter which can be calculated during CPET along with other metrics. From the available literature it appears to be more sensitive than peak VO2 in detecting patients at higher risk of postoperative pulmonary complications and mortality. Although the level of evidence is low the following recommendations can be made: (1) Minute ventilation to carbon dioxide output slope measured at anaerobic threshold should be routinely estimated along with peak VO2 in patients having cardiopulmonary exercise testing. (2) A value greater than 35–40 should be considered a marker of high risk of cardiopulmonary complications and mortality following lung resection in patients with either normal or reduced peak VO2.