Can preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate serve as an indicator for midterm adverse events after coronary bypass grafting?

OBJECTIVE Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may serve as a reasonably good indicator for coronary heart disease as usually ESR is elevated in these patients. The measurement of ESR is a very simple and cheap laboratory test that can be performed in routine blood examinations. In this study, we investigated the association between preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate and postoperative midterm adverse events after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS In the study, only male patients were included. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (preoperative sedimentation rate [<20 mm/h] normal [n = 232, 63.9%]) and group 2 (preoperative sedimentation rate [>20 mm/h] above normal [n = 131, 36.1%]). The hemogram and biochemistry panel values were measured one day before operation, on the postoperative first day, on the postoperative seventh day, and on the postoperative third month. RESULTS Among the laboratory values, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to postoperative first-day ESR and postoperative third-month high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P < .05). In terms of postoperative morbidity, there was also a statistically significant difference (P < .05) between the two groups with regard to pleural effusion, infection of the soft tissue over the sternum, pulmonary infection, return to the intensive care unit, rehospitalization, and mortality. CONCLUSIONS Elevated preoperative sedimentation rate is associated with postoperative adverse events in patients who undergo CABG. For this purpose, we suggest that patients with higher sedimentation rates undergo detailed examination to prevent mortality and morbidity.