Leukocyte depletion during extracorporeal circulation allows better organ protection but does not change hospital outcomes

Background Leukocyte filtration has been reported to reduce inflammatory damage during cardiopulmonary bypass. We evaluated the role of leukocyte filtration on hospital outcome and postoperative morbidity. Methods Eighty-two consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive leukocyte filters on both arterial and cardioplegia lines or standard arterial filters during cardiopulmonary bypass. Hospital outcome, postoperative markers of morbidity, and biochemical assays were compared. Data were collected preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. Costs for patients receiving intraoperative leukofiltration were compared with control patients getting standard arterial filters. Results Hospital mortality and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were similar. Although duration of ventilation and incidence of pneumonia were comparable, leukocyte-depleted patients showed a higher ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (p = 0.008) and lower need for postoperative noninvasive ventilation (p = 0.041). Control patients showed higher need for continuous furosemide infusion (p = 0.013) and for renal replacement therapy (p = 0.014), in association with higher serum creatinine (p = 0.038) and blood urea (p = 0.18) and lower glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.038). Leukocyte-depleted patients required lower doses of inotropic agents (p = 0.56), whereas troponin I leakage and incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation were comparable. No differences were found in terms of postoperative cerebral dysfunction or neutrophil and platelet counts, as well as postoperative bleeding and need for transfusions. Finally, leukodepletion proved significantly cost-beneficial, with a 37% cost reduction. Conclusions Although hospital outcomes were similar in terms of mortality and length of stay, the improvements in pulmonary, renal, and myocardial function, in association with the cost benefit, justify the use of leukocyte-depletion filters in the clinical practice.