CRP and infection: In terms of infection markers, the death group showed elevated WBC (22.76 × 109/L [20.53–30.79] vs. 19.61 × 109/L [14.31–25.24]) and PCT (4.94 ng/ml [1.84–10.35] vs. 1.85 ng/ml [0.65–4.13]) levels but paradoxically lower CRP (32.88 mg/L [10.17–58.74] vs. 47.78 mg/L [24.71–79.58]) levels compared to the survival group (all p  < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed in NLR between groups (p  > 0.05).