Doenças Infecciosas Clínicas e Prática

Abstrato

Procalcitonin and Other Inflammatory Measurements in Left-Ventricular Assist Device Recipients

Glenn W. Wortmann, Maria Elena Ruiz, Samer Najjar and Osamuyimen O. Igbinosa

Aim: Procalcitonin (PCT) has been identified as a marker of infection, but normal values in patients with a LVAD are not defined. The aim of our study was to define PCT levels in uninfected LVAD recipients, and to confirm prior studies reporting elevated inflammatory markers in LVAD recipients. Method: White blood cell count (WBC), CRP, ESR and PCT were measured in 15 LVAD recipients. Results: CRP (mean value 4.43 mg/L) and ESR (mean value 29.53 mm/hour) were elevated, but PCT levels were not (level <0.1mcg/L in 14 patients and 0.14 mcg/L in one patient). Conclusion: Infections related to left-ventricular assist devices (LVAD) can be subtle. PCT may serve as a useful biomarker of infection in LVAD recipients.