Care of the Patient with Interstitial Lung Disease Perioperatively.

purpose of this reviewPatients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are at elevated risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), including acute exacerbation, which carry high mortality. Surgical decision-making in this population requires careful preoperative risk stratification, medical optimization, and tailored intra- and postoperative management. This review summarizes current evidence to guide perioperative care for patients with ILD. RECENT

findingsThe ARISCAT (Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia) risk index is widely used for PPC prediction but likely underestimates risk in ILD. Recent studies highlight the high prevalence of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea in ILD, supporting the need for routine screening. Updated American College of Rheumatology guidelines inform perioperative antirheumatic drug management, while International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation consensus recommendations guide care of patients with pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure, a common comorbid condition. Emerging evidence suggests that perioperative antifibrotic therapy is safe and may reduce the risk of acute exacerbation, although further investigation is needed. Regional anesthesia can be a feasible alternative to general anesthesia when possible, for further risk mitigation in this patient population. Intraoperative lung-protective ventilation and use of the lowest oxygen concentration that maintains safe oxygen saturation remain critical, while judicious fluid management, postoperative extubation to high-flow nasal cannula or noninvasive ventilation, early mobilization, and multimodal analgesia may further reduce PPC risk. Perioperative management of ILD patients is complex due to heightened vulnerability to PPCs. Current evidence supports adapting general perioperative strategies while incorporating disease-specific considerations. As therapeutic advances extend survival, further prospective studies are needed to establish evidence-based perioperative guidelines for this high-risk group.