Objective Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) can involve both the left and right ventricles. However, the characteristics and outcomes across various manifestations of SIMD remain unknown.

Methods This was a retrospective cohort study using a prospective registry of septic shock from January 2011 and April 2017. Patients with clinically presumed cardiac dysfunction underwent echocardiography within 72 hours after admission and were enrolled (n=778). SIMD was classified as left ventricle (LV) systolic/diastolic and right ventricle (RV) dysfunction, which were defined based on the American Society of Echocardiography criteria. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality.

Results Of the 778 septic shock patients who underwent echocardiography, 270 (34.7%) showed SIMD. The median age was 67.0 years old, and the male was predominant (57.3%). Among them, 67.3% had LV systolic dysfunction, 40.7% had RV dysfunction and 39.3% had LV diastolic dysfunction. Although serum lactate level and sequential organ failure assessment score were not significantly different between groups, SIMD group showed higher troponin I (0.1 vs 0.1 ng/mL; p=0.02) and poor clinical outcomes, including higher 28-day mortality (35.9 vs 26.8%; p<0.01), longer intensive care unit length of stay (5 vs 2 days; p<0.01) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (9 vs 4 days; p<0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that isolated RV dysfunction was an independent risk factor of 28-day mortality (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.04 to 4.91).

Conclusions One-third of patients with septic shock showed various myocardial dysfunctions. LV systolic dysfunction was common; however, only RV dysfunction was associated with short-term mortality.