Table 1: Baseline characteristics of study patients.

Variables          Cases (n=23)
Age (years) 55.8 ± 19.1
Body weight (kg) 63 ± 13.9
BMI 24 ± 4.8
Gentle (male) 17 (73%)
Recent surgery 8 (35%)
Comorbidity
  Hypertension  11 (52%)
  Diabetes mellitus  5 (21%)
  COPD  1 (4.3%)
  CVA  2 (8.7%)
  Malignancy  7 (30%) 
Timing of surgery
  Emergency 8 (35%)
  Elective 15(65%)
Preoperative 
  Hb (mg/dl) 12.5 ± 1.1
  Hct 34.5± 1.3
  CRP 143± 30.8
Causes of empyema 
  Parapneumonic                                        21 (91%)
  Post-surgery 2 (8.7%)

COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CVA: cerebral vascular accident; Hb: hemoglobin; Hct: hematocrit; CRP: C-reactive protein.