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Introduction: It remains controversial if elevated preoperative levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) can be treated as a predictor of outcome following cardiac surgery. The present study was intended to evaluate the correlation between preoperative CRP levels and early outcome after coronary artery by-pass grafting(CABG). Material and Methods: Consecutive 25 patients with preoperative CRP levels of 10 mg/L or higher, who underwent standard on-pump CABG procedure in Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, in the second half of 2005, were included into the study group. The control group also consisted of 25 patients matched for age, gender and coronary artery diseases everity, with normal preoperative CRP levels (up to 5 mg/L), operated in the same period in our institution. The postoperative in-hospital course of the patients from the two groups was retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mortality rate in the study group in comparison to the control group was 8% vs. 0% (ns). The morbidity rates in the two groups were as follows: intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support 12% vs. 4%, cathecholamine support 52% vs. 28%, prolonged respiration 12% vs. 4%, atrial fibrillation 36% vs. 24% and stroke 4% vs. 4% (nsforallvalues). Mean intensive care unit(ICU) stay and mean postoperative in-hospital stay in the study group and in the control group were respectively: 3,7+-4,0 vs. 3,2+-2,9 and 11,6+-4,8 vs. 11,4+-3,1 (ns for both values). Conclusions: Increased preoperative levels of CRP in the present material, did not influence significantly early out come after CABG.(Clin Exp Med Lett 2007; 48(1): 33-35)

Keywords: coronary surgery, C-Reactive Protein, predictors of outcome