Evaluation of the Prognostic Value of Preoperative Quadriceps and Respiratory Muscle Thickness by Ultrasound Measurement in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Patients: a Prospective Observational Study

Cardiac and thoracic surgery are major procedures. In order to estimate the operative risk, many scores have been developed, including the Euroscore 2 in cardiac surgery. However, the Euroscore has limitations since it does not assess all the parameters that may influence postoperative complications, such as the patient's general condition or the status of his or her functional reserves.

However, it has been shown that the preoperative functional reserves have a significant impact on the patient's risk of developing postoperative complications following major surgery. In addition, there is a strong association between cardiac failure and a well-described decrease in peripheral muscle lean mass (sarcopenia) in patients older than 65 years.

Usually, a nutritional assessment is performed during the pre-anesthesia consultation. This assessment is based on clinical and biological criteria that are not totally predictive of the patient's functional reserve status.

Lean body mass (muscle) is a well-validated marker for the assessment of patients' functional reserves. However, the techniques used to date are complex and require radiation.

This study aims to use ultrasound of muscle groups (respiratory muscles - Quadriceps muscle - Diaphragm) to study the relationship between preoperative muscle mass and postoperative complications in patients over 65 years of age undergoing cardiac or thoracic surgery.

This is a prospective observational study to be conducted at the Dijon University Hospital by the cardiovascular anesthesia-intensive care department. A total of 300 patients will participate in this study, and we have planned to complete the project over a 2-year period. The participating patients (if they do not present any exclusion criteria and are not opposed to inclusion) will be included and undergo a muscle ultrasound in the cardiovascular surgery department or the thoracic and pulmonary surgery department the day before their intervention.