Arch Bronconeumol. 2015;51(2):69-75 w w w . a r c h b r o n c o n e u m o l . o r g a b s t r a c t Introduction: Adverse respiratory events (AREs) are leading causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the incidence and determinants of postoperative ARE. Methods: This observational prospective study was conducted in a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). A total of 340 adult subjects were admitted consecutively, and AREs were measured after elective surgery.

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... n demographics, perioperative parameters, ARE occurrence, and length of stay in the postoperative PACU and in hospital were recorded. Data were analyzed descriptively using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Multivariate analyses were carried out using logistic binary regression, and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results: Postoperative AREs occurred in 67 subjects (19.7%). AREs were more frequent after high-risk procedures (42% vs 24%; P=.003), in patients undergoing major surgery (37% vs 25%; P=.041), those receiving general anesthesia (85% vs 67%; P=.004), and in patients administered intraoperative muscle relaxants (79% vs 55%; P<.001) and neostigmine (69% vs 49%; P=.002). Hypoactive emergence (13% vs 5%; P=.015) and residual neuromuscular blockade (46% vs 11%; P<.001) were more frequent in subjects with postoperative ARE. On multivariate analyses, residual neuromuscular blockade was an independent risk factor for ARE in the PACU (OR 6.4; CI 3.0-13.4; P<.001). Conclusions: ARE is an important and common postoperative complication. Residual neuromuscular blockade was an independent risk factor for ARE in the PACU. D. Xará et al. / Arch Bronconeumol. 2015;51(2):69-75 p = 0,002). Los pacientes con AAR postoperatorios experimentaron con mayor frecuencia una emergencia hipoactiva (13% frente a 5%, p = 0,015) y un bloqueo neuromuscular residual (46% frente a 11%, p < 0,001). En los análisis multivariantes, el bloqueo neuromuscular residual fue un factor de riesgo independiente para la aparición de los AAR en la UCPA (OR 6,4; IC 3,0-13,4; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: Los AAR constituyen una complicación postoperatoria importante y frecuente. El bloqueo neuromuscular residual fue un factor de riesgo independiente para la aparición de AAR en la UCPA.