We defined factors affecting the postoperative outcome in adult cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Thirty-two adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery participated in this study. Levels of leukocyte, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), troponin-I (cTNI), interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were significantly elevated, whereas platelet count declined in cardiac surgery with CPB. GOT and D-dimer levels at CPB-off each had a positive significant correlation significantly with 24 hrs-bleeding, total bleeding, mechanical ventilatory assist time, ICU stay time and length of hospitalization. BUN levels at CPB-off were directly related to total bleeding, mechanical ventilatory assist time, ICU stay time and length of hospitalization. Platelet count at CPB-off was inversely related to mechanical ventilatory assist time, ICU stay time and length of hospitalization. Creatinine concentration at CPB-off interrelated positively with mechanical ventilatory assist time and ICU stay time. NSE levels at CPB-off had a positive relationship with postoperative 24 hrs-bleeding. The length of hospitalization was prolonged proportionally to the elevation of cTNI levels in cardiac surgery. Aortic cross-clamping and total CPB times also related with increase of 24 hrs and total bleeding volumes and the length of hospitalization. IL-6 and ET-1 had no mutual relation with any postoperative outcome. These data suggest that GOT, BUN, creatinine, D-dimer and platelet levels are the most important factors affecting postoperative outcomes and patient's recovery in adult cardiac surgery with CPB.