The Effect of Systemic Arterial-Line Leukocyte Filtration on the Outcome of Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND It is known that cardiopulmonary bypass causes an inflammatory reaction with associated morbidity and mortality. Several anti-inflammatory strategies have been implemented to reduce this response, including leukocyte removal from the circulation using specialized filters. OBJECTIVES The aim of this randomized clinical study was to assess the impact of arterial-line systemic leukocyte filtration on the postoperative outcome of adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS 114 patients undergoing CABG or valve replacement in Baqiyatallah hospital, Tehran, Iran from May to August 2011 were randomly assigned to two groups: with and without leukocyte filtration and their outcomes were compared. RESULTS The postoperative intubation time was significantly shorter in patients with leukocyte filters (0.014). There was no significant difference between two groups regarding other outcome relatedvariables. CONCLUSIONS Systemic arterial leukocyte filtration reduces the intubation time but has no other beneficial effect on the outcome of patients undergoing CABG or valve surgery.