Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research 2008-5117 9 3 2017 09 30 Novel therapies for perioperative respiratory complications 121 126 10.15171/jcvtr.2017.21 EN Jahan Porhomayon Leili Pourafkari Ali El-Solh Nader D Nader REVIEW 10.15171/jcvtr.2017.21 2017 03 29 2017 08 06 Postoperative respiratory complications are of paramount clinical importance as they prolong the hospitalization, increase the costs of treatment and contribute to the perioperative mortality. Obesity, preexisting pulmonary disease and advanced age are known risk factors for developing postoperative respiratory complications, which affect exceeding number of patients. Hereby, we present a review on the pathogenesis of post-operative respiratory complications particularly in obese and older patients. We further focus on the standard management and emerging therapies for the post-operative respiratory complications.