Right Heart Function in Critically Ill Patients at Risk for Acute Right Heart Failure: A Description of Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling, Ejection Fraction and Pulmonary Artery Pulsatility Index

Muddassir Mehmood, Robert W. Biederman, Ronald J. Markert, Mary C. McCarthy, Kathryn M. Tchorz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

<p> <h3> Background </h3> The gold standard for right heart function is the assessment of right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling defined as the ratio of arterial to end-systolic elastance (Ea/Emax). This study demonstrates the use of the volumetric pulmonary artery (PA) catheter for estimation of Ea/Emax and describes trends of Ea/Emax, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), and pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) during initial 48&emsp14;hours of resuscitation in the trauma surgical intensive care unit (ICU). <h3> Methods </h3> Review of prospectively collected data for 32 mechanically ventilated adult trauma and emergency general surgery patients enrolled within 6&emsp14;hours of admission to the ICU. Haemodynamics, recorded every 12&emsp14;hours for 48&emsp14;hours, were compared among survivors and non-survivors to hospital discharge. <h3> Results </h3> Mean age was 49&emsp14;&plusmn;&emsp14;20 years, 69% were male, and 84% were trauma patients. Estimated Ea/Emax was associated with pulmonary vascular resistance and inversely related to pulmonary arterial capacitance and PA catheter derived RVEF. Seven (7) trauma patients did not survive to hospital discharge. Non-survivors had higher estimated Ea/Emax, suggesting right ventricular-pulmonary arterial uncoupling, with a statistically significant difference at 48&emsp14;hours (2.3&emsp14;&plusmn;&emsp14;1.7 vs 1.0&emsp14;&plusmn;&emsp14;0.58, p&emsp14;=&emsp14;0.018). RVEF was significantly lower in non-survivors at study initiation and at 48&emsp14;hours. PAPi did not show a consistent trend. <h3> Conclusions </h3> Estimation of Ea/Emax using volumetric PA catheter is feasible. Serial assessment of RVEF and Ea/Emax may help in early identification of right heart dysfunction in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients at risk for acute right heart failure.</p>
Original languageAmerican English
JournalHeart, Lung and Circulation
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2019

Keywords

  • Right Heart Failure
  • Ventricular-Arterial Coupling
  • Critical Care
  • Pulmonary Artery Catheter

Disciplines

  • Medical Specialties
  • Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Surgery

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