Prognostic value of total lymphocyte count in cardiac surgery

Abstract

The aim of this study retrospective cohort was to investigate the prognostic value of preoperative total lymphocyte count in peripheral blood as a predictor of postoperative complications and mortality in cardiac surgery. All adults undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass in 2009. The cohort size was 1 368 patients. Patient characteristics, hospital mortality, postoperative complications, ventilation period, intensive care unit and hospital stay were analysed. Preoperative total lymphocyte count <1 611 cells/L was assotiated with significantly higher mortality by univariate (p<0,0001) and multivariate (p<0,022) analisys. Low preoperative total lymphocyte count was associated with more frequent inotropic support (p<0,001); postoperative heart arrhythmia (p<0,001); hemodialysis-dependent acute renal failure (p<0,001); and a prolonged ventilation period (p=0,001), intensive care unit stay (p<0,001), and hospital stay (p=0,007). Low preoperative total lymphocyte count in peripheral blood is a useful prognostic criterion for evaluation of a complicated postoperative period in cardiosurgical patients.