Association between pre-operative biological phenotypes and postoperative pulmonary complications: An unbiased cluster analysis

BACKGROUND: Biological phenotypes have been identified within several heterogeneous pulmonary diseases, with potential therapeutic consequences. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether distinct biological phenotypes exist within surgical patients, and whether development of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and subsequent dependence of intra-operative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) differ between such phenotypes. SETTING: Operating rooms of six hospitals in Europe and USA. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the 'PROtective Ventilation with HIgh or LOw PEEP' trial. PATIENTS: Adult patients scheduled for abdominal surgery who are at risk of PPCs. INTERVENTIONS: Measurement of pre-operativ…