Coronary Artery bypass grafting and/or valvular surgery in patients with previous pneumonectomy

There is a lack of data regarding heart surgery on patients who have been previously pneumectomized. These patients pose unique challenges and surgical management may necessitate deviations from standard methods in the perioperative course. To summarize the available knowledge and to assess the optimal methods, we reviewed all reported patients with prior pneumonectomy who were subjected to coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve surgery. In a Medline search from 1966 to May 2011 carefully undertaken, we identified 22 articles, including 29 patients who underwent 30 operations: CABG 70%, valvular surgery 23%, and combination 7%. Severe morbidity was 37% and 30-day mortality 13%. Although postoperative morbidity and mortality remain higher in previously pneumectomized patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and valvular surgery, the gathered experience up to date suggests that a carefully planned surgical strategy, along with the use of advanced modern techniques may reduce morbidity and improve final outcome.