The plasmatic levels of procalcitonin is now considered as an objective parameter of severe systemic infection, SIRS and sepsis. We have observed the dynamics of serum procalcitonin in longitudinal prospective study of 40 oncological patients 3 days after abdominal surgery. We have found out that the peak values of procalcitonin were on the 1 st postoperative day and in uncomplicated course did not exceed the value 1.44 – 2 ng/ml. We have observed 3 cases of severe systemic infection (2 cases of peritonitis 9.9 – 15.5 ng/ml) and 1 case of proven catheter sepsis with gram/positive hemocultures (peak value 54.4 ng/ml). We also observed 3 cases of circulatory failure due to c ardiogenic (7.2 ng/ml), haemorrhagic (11.1 ng/ml) and traumatic (5.8 ng/ml) shock. The plasmatic levels of procalcitonin correlate well with the clinical course of patients with peritonitis (10 – 20 ng/ml), and sepsis (more than 10 – 20 ng/ml), and circulatory failure (PCT levels between 5 – 10 ng/ml). Daily monitoring of serum procalcitonin is an effective method how to diagnose and follow-up the course of severe systemic bacterial infection, sepsis and circulatory failure.

        Key words: procalcitonin – intensive care – SIRS – sepsis