The Cardiac Stress and Electrocardiographic Changes Caused by Lung Cancer Surgery

Lung cancer surgery causes significant acute changes in the small circulation as well as both transient and permanent changes in the intrathoracic anatomy. The electrocardiographic changes as well as their associations with postoperative recovery associated with modern mini-invasive lung cancer surgery have not been extensively studied.

The aims of the study are:

• To define in detail the electrocardiographic changes and their duration caused by lung cancer surgery, both perioperatively and in the early postoperative period
• To assess, whether perioperative electrocardiographic changes are associated with the postoperative recovery of these patients.

Altogether 100 patients with planned mini-invasive lung cancer surgery in the Tays Heart Hospital, Tampere, Finland, will be prospectively recruited for the study between the years 2021 and 2028.

The 12-lead rest electrocardiogram will be recorded from each patient preoperatively as well daily postoperatively and during follow-up out-patient clinic visit two weeks postoperatively. The perioperative continuous multi-lead electrocardiogram will be recorded. Laboratory examinations (cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides) indicating cardiac stress will be obtained from the patients preoperatively and repeatedly postoperatively. The variables included in the electrocardiography analysis include cardiac rhythm, heart rate variability, PQ-time, QRS duration, P-, QRS, and T-wave amplitudes and axles, as well as ST-level variations.

Postoperative complications, including cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia and the duration of postoperative air leak and postoperative chest tube drainage, will be recorded. The associations between lung cancer surgery and electrocardiographic changes, their duration, as well as their associations with postoperative recovery will be analyzed using statistical methods.

A local study registry will be established for the study adhering to the legislature and protocols for clinical studies, including data security. Institutional ethics board committee approval has been obtained. The study will be registered in ClinicalTrials.gov prior to patient enrollment. The study does not include any interventions beside the normal treatment of these patients. Written informed consent will be obtained from each patient. The results of the study will be published in international medical journals.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult patients scheduled for elective lung cancer surgery
• Willing to participate in the study
• Curatively aimed surgery
• Preoperative decision for mini-invasive surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Participation in any other clinical trial
• Previous chronic or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
• Cardiac pacemaker
• History of cardiac conduction disturbances including bundle branch blocks
• History of cardiac ablation procedures
• History of previous surgery in the thoracic area including open heart surgery
• Preoperatively anticipated need for concomitant thoracic wall resection
• Preoperatively anticipated need for open surgery