Does bilateral LVRS show better outcome and is preoperative pulmonary hypertension preventing functional improvement?

Hintergrund Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is an established therapeutic approach for patients with severe lung emphysema to improve symptoms and quality of life. The impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on outcome after LVRS is still not sufficiently investigated. Our general approach to LVRS was switched from a unilateral staged approach to a bilateral procedure. Thus, we firstly aimed to assess the influence of unilateral versus bilateral surgery and secondly of preoperative PH on functional outcome after LVRS.