Question:
Hello Doctor,
My father had coronary artery bypass surgery for diabetes and hypertension 2 weeks ago and is still in the intensive care unit. Currently, his white blood cell count is increasing, he has no fever, many tests have been done but no infectious microorganisms have been found, and despite being given strong doses of broad-spectrum antibiotics, he has not responded to antibiotics. I would like to ask why his white blood cell count is high 2 weeks after surgery and how to treat it?
Thank you very much!
Anonymous customer
Answer
Answered by Dr. Nguyen Luong Tan - Head of Cardiovascular Surgery Department - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Hello,
With the question "What is the cause of high white blood cells after 2 weeks of surgery?", the doctor would like to answer as follows:
After 2 weeks of surgery, a gradual increase in white blood cells is often a sign of infection including bacteria and fungi. It is necessary to fully evaluate the white blood cell formula because each type of infection and each stage of infection can change the white blood cell formula differently. In addition, inflammatory markers such as CRP and procalcitonin must be evaluated.
Fever may be absent in some patients or may be controlled by antipyretic medications. Especially when strong broad-spectrum antibiotics have been used, the likelihood of finding bacteria is very low. The assessment of antibiotic treatment response must consider multiple factors, from the patient’s physical condition to their eating, sleeping habits, weight, organ function, and biochemical tests.
Postoperative recovery from coronary artery bypass graft surgery usually allows patients to walk around the room within 24 to 48 hours. Patients typically need to stay in the hospital for 5-7 days after surgery. If two weeks have passed and the patient is still receiving intravenous antibiotics, with elevated white blood cell count and no pathogen identified, the danger depends on the patient's overall condition and the prognosis assessed by the treating physician. Identifying the pathogen is essential to determining the appropriate treatment.
The doctor considers a facility that routinely performs coronary artery surgery to be a facility capable of identifying infectious or non-infectious agents and will treat them properly when the agent causing the increase in white blood cells is diagnosed. Currently, the doctor does not have much information so he cannot determine the exact treatment direction. You can contact Vinmec Hospital to provide more information about your father's condition to a specialist for specific advice.
If you still have questions about high white blood cells, you can go to a hospital in the Vinmec Health System for further examination and consultation. Thank you for your trust and for sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you good health.
Sincerely!
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