Prognostic Implications of Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion/pulmonary Arterial Systolic Pressure Ratio in Septic Shock Patients

Background: To explore the association between the ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), and long- and short-term outcomes in mechanically ventilated septic shock patients.

Methods: Septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were screened for enrollment. Echocardiographic parameters including TAPSE and tricuspid regurgitation velocity, haemodynamic and respiratory parameters, and prognostic data were obtained.

Results: One hundred eighteen subjects were enrolled in this study, among whom 75 survived and 43 died at the one-year follow-up. ROC curve analysis revealed that the TAPSE/PASP ratio was able to assess one-year all-cause mortality with an area under the curve of 0.817 (95% CI: 0.739-0.896, p < 0.001) and the optimal cutoff value was 0.50 mm/mmHg. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that one-year all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with TAPSE/PASP ≤0.5 mm/mmHg than in patients with TAPSE/PASP > 0.5 mm/mmHg (log-rank 32.934, p < 0.001). According to the Cox regression survival analyses, the TAPSE/PASP ratio was independently associated with one-year all-cause mortality (HR 0.007, 95% CI:0.000-0.162, p = 0.002) and ICU mortality (HR 0.027, 95% CI:0.001-0.530, p = 0.017). According to the multivariable analysis, the TAPSE/PASP ratio was an independent variable associated with mechanical ventilation (MV) duration (standard coefficient - 0.240, p = 0.010).

Conclusion: The TAPSE/PASP ratio demonstrated prognostic value for one-year all-cause mortality, ICU mortality and MV duration in mechanically ventilated septic shock patients.