Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with pleural empyema treated by either chest-tube drainage or surgery from January 2006 to December 2008. C-reactive protein levels were recorded preoperatively and 2 and 7 days postoperatively. The clinical outcome was binary: success or failure (mortality or the need for repeated pleural intervention). RESULTS: The study group comprised fifty-two patients. The median C-reactive protein values were as follows: 146 mg/L (pre-operative), 134 mg/L (post-operative day 2), and 116 mg/L (post-operative day 7). There was a trend toward a decrease in these values during the first week after surgery, but this difference was only statistically significant on day 7 after surgery. Over the first week after surgery, the C-reactive protein values decreased similarly in both groups (successful and failed treatment). No correlation between the preoperative C-reactive protein level and the clinical outcome was found. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that, in contrast to other medical conditions, C-reactive protein levels fall slowly during the first postoperative week in patients who have undergone surgical treatment for pleural empyema. No correlation between the perioperative C-reactive protein level and the clinical outcome was observed.
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Authors | Israel Lopes Medeiros, Ricardo Mingarini Terra, Esther Mihwa Choi, Paulo Manuel Pego-Fernandes, Fabio Biscegli Jatene |
Journal | Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
(Clinics (Sao Paulo))
Vol. 67
Issue 3
Pg. 243-7
( 2012)
ISSN: 1980-5322 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 22473405
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Biomarkers
- C-Reactive Protein
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Topics |
- Biomarkers
(blood)
- C-Reactive Protein
(analysis)
- Drainage
(methods)
- Empyema, Pleural
(blood, mortality, surgery)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Postoperative Period
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
(methods)
- Treatment Outcome
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