One hundred and ten patients were investigated prospectively in a study aim
ed at creating reference curves for inflammation markers (serum C-reactive
protein (CRP), blood leukocyte count, iron, transthyretin and procalcitonin
). Blood samples were taken daily and the patients were monitored for signs
of infection. Ninety-six patients had no postoperative infections. CRP and
leukocyte counts peaked on the third and second postoperative days, respec
tively. Neither patients operated on off-pump (n = 4) nor patients with min
or infections (n = 11) differed from the non-infected group. Two out of thr
ee patients with major postoperative infection exhibited a secondary peak i
n CRP and leukocyte count. Iron and transthyretin decreased initially, foll
owed by a slow increase without any difference between the groups. Procalci
tonin was high in some non-infected patients and low in some infected patie
nts. CRP and leukocyte count had a predictable course with a secondary peak
in major infections but the other markers did not provide any valuable inf
ormation.