Left ventricular function during sepsis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The prevalence and prognostic significance of left ventricular involvement in septic patients without shock was investigated. Systolic time intervals (STI) and prejection period/left ventricular ejection time ratio (PEP/LVET) were used to assess left ventricular function. Forty-nine patients, 22 of whom ultimately died, were studied. The group as a whole showed abnormal PEP/LVET ratio (0.40 ± 0.02) that differed significantly (p < .01) from reported normal values (0.345 ± 0.002), demonstrating widespread left ventricular dysfunction in this population. In order to establish the prognostic significance of left ventricular impairment, the population was divided into two groups according to the PEP/LVET ratio. Group 1 (PEP/LVET 0.42) had a significantly greater mortality (12/16 [75%], p < .001). The test that has a sensitivity of 55%, a specificity of 85%, and a positive predictive value of 75% identifies a subset of septic patients with severe impairment of left ventricular function and high risk of dying. (Crit Care Med 1989; 17:323)