Risk stratification for post-operative pulmonary complications following major cardiothoracic or abdominal surgery: Validation of the PPC Risk Prediction Score for physiotherapist's clinical decision-

This study comprised a temporal external validation of the post-operative pulmonary complication risk prediction score in a cohort of 360 patients undergoing elective cardiothoracic or abdominal surgery. As part of the study, pre-operative lung function testing (FEV1) was undertaken using the Vitalograph Micro spirometer.