Preoperative high leukocyte count: a novel risk factor for stroke after cardiac surgery.
BACKGROUND
Stroke after cardiac surgery is a devastating complication. The relationship between white blood cell count (WBC) and perioperative cerebrovascular accident (CVA) has not been investigated. An effort was made to identify how preoperative WBC may relate to CVA development during or after cardiac surgery.


METHODS
Prospective data were collected from 7,483 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting or valvular surgery or both. WBC was determined preoperatively and postoperatively. Differentiation of WBC was examined only preoperatively.


RESULTS
There were a total of 125 CVAs (10 transient ischemic attacks [TIAs], 115 strokes). WBC was significantly higher preoperatively and directly postoperatively in patients with stroke. Qualitative changes in preoperative WBC were also found in these patients (chi2; p < 0.001). The predictive power of the stepwise logistic regression model for CVA was greater when preoperative WBC was included. The risk for perioperative CVA increased starting at preoperative WBC of 9 x 10(9)/L (p = 0.044) and progressed in higher WBC ranges. WBC had a significant impact on CVA outcome (analysis of variance, p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our studies have established the correlation between high preoperative WBC and stroke during or after cardiac surgery. Furthermore, elevated preoperative WBC was related to the clinical outcome of CVA. Preoperative measures aimed at preventing or treating conditions such as infections that may cause elevated WBC may be beneficial in the prevention of stroke during or after cardiac surgery.
Clinic for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Institute Lahr/Baden, Lahr, Germany. alexander.albert@heart-lahr.com
Alexander A
AA
Albert
Carsten J
CJ
Beller
Jörg A
JA
Walter
Bert
B
Arnrich
Ulrich P
UP
Rosendahl
Horst
H
Priss
Jürgen
J
Ennker
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*