Why the study?
Do serial measurements of C-reactive protein detect postoperative complications in children who have undergone closed-heart surgery?
Do serial measurements of C-reactive protein detect postoperative complications in children who have undergone closed-heart surgery?
Serial measurements of CRP may be a useful biomarker for detecting postoperative complications in children following closed-heart surgery.
Elevated CRP was associated with complications after pediatric closed-heart surgery; leaves open whether serial monitoring aids early detection.
Measurements of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and body temperature daily for 14 days after closed-heart surgery were retrospectively reviewed in 198 children with mean age 2.8 years. CRP rose postoperatively, reaching maximum (94 +/- 58 mg/l) on day 2, but declined to near normal within a week. Postoperative complications occurred in 57 children (29%), 13 of whom died. In multivariate regression analysis CRP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with complications than in those with uneventful recovery. Rising patient age was associated with greater elevation of CRP levels. Body temperature was higher in patients with complications. Serial measurements of CRP may be useful in detecting postoperative complications in children who have undergone closed-heart surgery.
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Merja Aronen (1990) studied this question.
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