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.