Introduction: Right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVsD) increases acute respiratory distress syndrome mortality in COVID-19 infection (CARDS). The RV longitudinal shortening fraction (RV-LSF) is an angle-independent and automatically calculated speckle-tracking parameter. We explored the association between RV-LSF and 30-day mortality in CARDS patients. Methods: Moderate-to-severe CARDS patients hospitalized at Amiens University Hospital with transesophageal echocardiography performed within 48 h of intensive care unit admission were included. RVsD was defined by an RV-LSF of <20%. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of RVsD. Using multivariate Cox regression, clinical and echocardiographic risk factors predicting 30-day mortality were evaluated. Results: Between 28 February 2020 and 1 December 2021, 86 patients were included. A total of 43% (n = 37/86) of the patients showed RVsD and 22% (n = 19/86) of the patients died. RV-LSF was observed in 26 (23.1−29.7)% of the no-RVsD function group and 16.5 (13.7−19.4)% (p < 0.001) of the RVsD group. Cardiogenic shock (n = 7/37 vs. 2/49, p = 0.03) and acute cor pulmonale (n = 18/37 vs. 10/49, p = 0.009) were more frequent in the RVsD group. The 30-day mortality was higher in the RVsD group (15/37 vs. 4/49, p = 0.001). In a multivariable Cox model, RV-LSF was an independent mortality factor (HR 4.45, 95%CI (1.43−13.8), p = 0.01). Conclusion: in a cohort of moderate-to-severe CARDS patients under mechanical ventilation, RVsD defined by the RV-LSF was associated with higher 30-day mortalities.
Keywords: ARDS; COVID-19; RV-LSF; right ventricle; speckle-tracking.