Does leukodepletion during elective cardiac surgery really influence the overall clinical outcome?

Aim: We examined the impact of leukocyte filtration during the entire bypass time on postoperative leukocytosis, perioperative hemorrhage and overall clinical outcome in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery.

Methods: Eighty patients who electively underwent cardiac surgery were randomly allocated to a leukocyte depletion group (n=40) or a control group (n=40). In patients of the leukocyte depletion group an arterial line filter with leukocyte depleting capacity (Pall LG6) was applied instead of a standard arterial line filter.