Impact of Left Ventricular Systolic Function on Mortality in Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Retrospective Cohort Study
In this retrospective cohort study, the researchers aimed to investigate the association between left ventricular (LV) systolic function and in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock. They included all adult patients admitted to the medical ICU with sepsis or septic shock who underwent transthoracic echocardiography within 3 days of admission. The patients were divided into five groups based on LV ejection fraction (LVEF). The results revealed a U-shaped association between LVEF and in-hospital mortality, with both severely reduced LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF < 25%) and hyperdynamic LV (LVEF ≥ 70%) being independently associated with significantly higher mortality compared to the reference group (LVEF 55% to 70%). The study highlights the complexity of LV systolic function's impact on mortality in sepsis and septic shock, indicating the need for personalized resuscitation and vasopressor strategies in these patients.