Preoperative C-reactive protein level and outcome following coronary surgery.

Objective: It has been suggested that a preoperative level of C-reactive protein (CRP)>5mg/l is predictive of postoperative complications in cardiac surgery patients.

Material And Methods: Among 113 primary isolated coronary artery bypass patients, CRP was determined preoperatively and fibrinogen, interleukine 6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, platelets and white blood cells count measured before surgery, 24, 48 and 72h thereafter and at hospital discharge. The clinical course of all cases was prospectively recorded. Data were then analysed according to the preoperative CRP level by dividing the patients into two groups (CRP>5mg/l or CRP<5mg/l).

Results: The in-hospital results were similar between the two patients groups. Even the postoperative haematic inflammatory markers did not significantly differ according to the preoperative CRP level.

Conclusion: In this prospective study, a preoperative level of CRP>5mg/l did not predict in-hospital postoperative complications nor influence the extent of the inflammatory activation in primary isolated coronary bypass patients.