Right ventricular dysfunction in septic patients

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Abstract
To compare right ventricular ejection fraction in trauma and septic patients during the hyperdynamic circulatory phase of these states. Prospective, consecutive study. University hospital ICU. Eleven trauma patients (group 1) and ten septic patients (group 2) were studied. Patients with circulatory shock were excluded from the study. Right ventricular ejection fraction was measured with a modified pulmonary artery catheter using the thermodilution method. Patients requiring catecholamines to maintain a systolic BP >90 mm Hg were excluded from the study. Both groups 1 and 2 had high mean cardiac output values (cardiac indices 4.7 ±PT 0.9 [SD] and 4.6 ±PT 1.4 L/min/m2, respectively). Right ventricular ejection fraction was significantly (p Conclusions Hemodynamic measurements comparing septic and trauma patients showed increased cardiac output in both groups and no differences in the pulmonary resistance. Right ventricular ejection fraction in the septic patients was significantly reduced compared with the trauma patients. Therefore, we concluded that right ventricular contractility may be decreased in septic patients. (Crit Care Med 1992; 20:630–634)

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