Total Leukocyte Control for Elective Coronary Bypass Surgery Does Not Improve Short-Term Outcome

Background Despite early promise as a means of reducing the inflammatory response to surgery and subsequent organ damage, the evidence of the clinical value of leukocyte filtration remains equivocal. Methods Three hundred patients presenting for routine coronary artery bypass surgery were randomized to a total leukocyte filtration group (filters in five different locations) and a control group with a standard 40-μm filter in the bypass return line only. Data on efficacy and safety of leukocyte filtration were collected by research and postoperative care staff who were blinded to the mode of filtration. Results Leukofiltration achieved a transient fall in white cells immediately after surgery (p = 0.07) and a sustained fall in platelets, which was still significant on the second postoperative day (p = 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in postoperative hospital stay, the primary outcome variable (p = 0.35), in ICU stay (p = 0.92), or mortality (p = 1.0). There were no differences in postoperative cardiac status including cardiac output (p = 0.16), inotrope (p = 0.93) or balloon pump (p = 0.48) requirement, or 24-hour troponin (p = 0.60). Similarly there were no differences in pulmonary or renal function (intubation time (p = 0.83), respiratory index (p = 0.19) rise in creatinine (p = 0.13) or hemofiltration (1.0)). Leukofitration was not associated with a statistically significant increase in bleeding or requirement for blood or blood products. It was associated with a decrease approaching significance (p = 0.1) in number and severity of postoperative wound infections. Three filters were blocked during use but were changed without incident or compromise to patient safety. Conclusions Leukocyte filtration is safe but not efficacious in improving short-term outcome.