Classification of Kroenke et al for Postoperative Pulmonary Complications

Description

Postoperative pulmonary complications can be classified based on their severity.

Clinical parameters:

(1) cough

(2) atelectasis

(3) bronchospasm

(4) dyspnea and hypoxemia

(5) hypercarbia

(6) pneumonia

(7) pneumothorax

(8) pleural effusion

(9) intubation and ventilation

(10) adverse reaction to pulmonary medication

Clinical Parameter	Finding	Grade
cough	dry	1
	productive, not due to other cause	2
atelectasis	microatelectasis	1
	atelectasis	2
bronchospasm	new	2
	pre-existent and results in a change in therapy	2
dyspnea	not due to other documented cause	1
	with hypoxemia	2
hypercarbia	transient but requiring treatment	2
pneumonia	suspected	3
	proven	3
pneumothorax	present	3
pleural effusion	present, resulting in thoracentesis	3
intubation and ventilation	intubation postoperative with ventilator dependence <= 48 hours	3
	ventilator dependence > 48 hours	4
adverse reaction to pulmonary medication	any present	2

where:

• Microatelectasis is associated with abnormal lung findings and a temperature > 37.5°C without other documented cause and with normal or unavailable chest X-ray.

• Atelectasis is associated with abnormal chest X-ray and either abnormal lung findings or a temperature > 37.5°C.

• Intubation may involve reintubation or continued use of tube placed for surgery.

To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.

Description

Specialty

ICD-10