The objective of the present study was to evaluate the utility of B-type natriuretic peptide for prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing pulmonary resection for lung cancer.

A prospective observational study was performed involving 80 consecutive patients aged 75 years or older who underwent a scheduled pulmonary resection for lung cancer in two specialized thoracic centers between January 2008 and June 2010. Baseline clinical details were obtained, and spirometry and examination of serum B-type natriuretic peptide levels were performed before surgery. The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications.

Postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were identified in 34 (43%) patients; these patients had significantly higher preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide levels than those without cardiopulmonary complications (84.0 ± 93.7 pg/mL vs 22.0 ± 18.2 pg/mL; p < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for B-type natriuretic peptide to predict postoperative cardiopulmonary complications after pulmonary resection for lung cancer was 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.76 to 0.94; p < 0.0001). A B-type natriuretic peptide value of 30 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 83% for predicting postoperative cardiopulmonary complications after pulmonary resection for lung cancer. The incidences of both cardiovascular and respiratory complications were significantly higher in patients with preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide levels of 30 pg/mL or more.

Preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide level could be a useful predictor of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly patients after pulmonary resection for lung cancer.