Right ventricle dysfunction does not predict mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2-related acute respiratory distress syndrome on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Background: The prognostic role of right ventricle dilatation and dysfunction (RVDD) has not been elucidated in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID)-related respiratory failure refractory to standard treatment needing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support.

Aim: To assess whether pre veno-venous (VV) ECMO RVDD were related to in-intensive care unit (ICU) mortality.

Methods: We enrolled 61 patients with COVID-related acute respiratory distress syndrome refractory to conventional treatment submitted to VV ECMO and consecutively admitted to our ICU (an ECMO referral center) from 31 March 2020 to 31 August 2021. An echocardiographic exam was performed immediately before VV ECMO implantation.

Results: Males were prevalent (73.8%) and patients with a body mass index > 30 kg/m were the majority (46/61, 75%). The overall in-ICU mortality rate was 54.1% (33/61). RVDD was detectable in more than half of the population (34/61, 55.7%) and associated with higher simplified organ functional assessment (SOFA) values ( = 0.029) and a longer mechanical ventilation duration prior to ECMO support ( = 0.046). Renal replacement therapy was more frequently needed in RVDD patients ( = 0.002). A higher in-ICU mortality ( = 0.024) was observed in RVDD patients. No echo variables were independent predictors of in-ICU death.

Conclusion: In patients with COVID-related respiratory failure on ECMO support, RVDD (dilatation and dysfunction) is a common finding and identifies a subset of patients characterized by a more severe disease (as indicated by higher SOFA values and need of renal replacement therapy) and by a higher in-ICU mortality. RVDD (also when considered separately) did not result independently associated with in-ICU mortality in these patients.