Transfusion of packed red blood cells (OR 1.9, 95%, confidence interval [CI] 1.1-3.5, P = .03), and the first postoperative day C-reactive protein level (OR 1.2, 95%, CI 1.0-1.3, per 10 units, P = .002) were associated with the development of prolonged SIRS in a multivariable analysis. Here, CRP is linked to systemic inflammatory response syndrome.