The 6-min walk test in the functional evaluation of patients with lung cancer qualified for lobectomy

The American College of Chest Physicians guidelines recommend low-technology exercise tests in the functional evaluation of patients with lung cancer considered for resectional surgery. However, the 6-min walk test (6MWT) is not included, because the data on its clinical value are inconsistent. Our goal was to evaluate the 6MWT in assessing the risk of cardiopulmonary complications in candidates for lung resection. We performed a retrospective assessment of clinical data and pulmonary function test results in 947 patients, mean age 65.3 (standard deviation 9.5) years, who underwent a single lobectomy for lung cancer. In 555 patients with predicted postoperative values ≤60%, the 6MWT was performed. The 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and the distance-saturation product (DSP), which is the product of the 6MWD in metres, and the lowest oxygen saturation registered during the test were assessed. A total of 363 patients with predicted postoperative values