Evaluation of serial C-reactive protein measurements after surgical treatment of pleural empyema
Clinics
;
67(3): 243-247, 2012. graf, tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-623098
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Serial C-reactive protein measurements have been used to diagnose and monitor the response to therapy in patients with pneumonia and other infectious diseases. Nonetheless, the role of C-reactive protein measurement after surgical treatment for pleural empyema is not well defined. The aim of this study is to describe the behavior of C-reactive protein levels after the surgical treatment of pleural empyema and to correlate this parameter with the patient's prognosis.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.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
C-Reactive Protein
/
Empyema, Pleural
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Clinics
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Messejana Hospital/BR
/
Universidade de São Paulo/BR
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