Background: Quantitative Perfusion Scintigraphy (QPS) and Anatomic Segment Method (ASM) are two techniques for estimating postoperative pulmonary function. QPS is gold standard, but holds disadvantages.
Aim: Could ASM substitute QPS in the preoperative work-up of NSCLC?
Methods: Retrospective study in patients with NSCLC or mesothelioma undergoing resection. FEV1 and DL,CO were estimated by QPS and ASM and compared to pulmonary function measured 3 months after resection. Correlation tests and Bland-Altman analyses were performed.
Results: 40 patients (23 lobectomies, 14 pneumonectomies). Both methods correlated similarly with postoperative FEV(1) (QPSρ=0.69; ASMρ=0.75) and DL,CO (QPSρ=0.70; ASMρ=0.74). Correlation between both methods was high (ppoFEV(1)ρ=0.89; ppoDL,COρ=0.89). The same principles applied in a subgroup analysis of patients with COPD. Bland-Altman analyses showed that ASM underestimated postoperative FEV(1) and DL,CO more than QPS in all groups.
Conclusion: QPS and ASM are remarkably similar in predicting postoperative pulmonary function. As ASM underestimates pulmonary function more, it could be a safe alternative from a cost-benefit point of view. Based on these results, it appears that QPS could be restricted to patients in whom ASM suggests functional inoperability, although further prospective studies are necessary.
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