Abstract:Objective To examined the relationship between the regional ratio of the emphysematous area in pre-operative computed tomography images and cardiopulmonary complications in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who underwent lung cancer resection. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 80 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer at our hospital. Pre-operative factors, including the proportion of the emphysematous area measured by computed tomography as a percentage of the low attenuation area (LAA% ) and intraoperative factors, were analyzed. Cardiopulmonary complications, including pyothorax, pneumonia and atelectasis, acute pulmonary injury, indwelling chest tube, long duration of oxygen supply, and arrhythmia, were evaluated. Results Cardiopulmonary complications were observed among 30 patients (37.5%). Univariate analysis revealed that patient age (P < 0.05), FEV1/FVC (P < 0.05), LAA% (P < 0.05), and volume of blood loss (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with cardiopulmonary complications. Multivariate analysis indicated patientage [O^R = 4.62 (95% CI: 2.03, 10.49)] and LAA% [O^R = 5.58 (95% CI: 2.31, 13.49)] as being significant independent predictors of cardiopulmonary complications. Conclusion The regional ratio of the emphysematous area is useful for predicting cardiopulmonary complications in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who undergo lobectomy for lung cancer. For patients who are ≥ 70 years and with LAA% ≥ 1.0%, careful intra- and post-operative management is warranted.