Influence of reduced diffusing capacity and FEV1 on outcome after cardiac surgery

Background Impaired lung function is a well‐known risk factor in cardiac surgery patients and reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is associated with increased mortality. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the influence of impaired diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in unselected cardiac surgery patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of impaired DLCO and/or reduced FEV1 on post‐operative mortality and morbidity in cardiac surgery patients. Methods In a prospective cohort study, 390 patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery underwent preoperative lung function test including spirometry and DLCO measurements. We defined reduced FEV1 as FEV1 below lower limit of normal (LLN) and impaired DLCO as DLCO