Biomarker level and severity of illness measures of all study patients.

In the ICU group, biomarker levels were measured in all patients at intensive care unit admission. For the control group, the pre-operative biomarker levels are displayed. Data are shown as median with interquartile ranges. Systemic inflammation was defined as new onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome plus a two-fold increase in PCT concentration compared to the value of the preceding day or exceeding a minimum of >2 ng/ml. ASM: acid sphingomyelinase serum activity; CRP: C-reactive protein; mSOFA: modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (excluding central nervous system); PCT: procalcitonin; SAPS II: Simplified Acute and Physiology Score II; SI: systemic inflammation; TISS: Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System. Biomarker level and severity of illness measures of all study patients.