The use of cardiopulmonary bypass during extended resection of non-small cell lung cancer.

We undertook a retrospective study in order to assess the risks and benefits of the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during operative resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Eleven patients (nine male and two female with a median age of 62 years, range 28-76 years) underwent extended resection of locally advanced NSCLC using CPB. The indication for the use of CPB was resection of the left atrium (n=4), the aorta (n=3), the pulmonary artery (n=3), or for respiratory support (n=1).