RESUMO
Objective:To investigate the clinical features and risk factors of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in children with septic shock.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of children diagnosed with septic shock in the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Children’s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from February 2016 to June 2021. Inclusion criteria: (1) patients met the diagnostic criteria of septic shock; (2) Cardiac ultrasound was performed within 48 h after shock treatment and was dynamically monitored during shock treatment. Exclusion criteria: (1) Previous history of chronic cardiac insufficiency, cardiomyopathy, or organic heart disease; (2) patients with acute cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and necrotizing encephalopathy; (3) congenital genetic metabolic diseases; and (4) incomplete information. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% and a ≥10% decrease in the patient’s initial LVEF assessed on admission. Patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and without left ventricular systolic dysfunction were compared. Comparisons between groups were performed with unpaired Student’s t test, or Mann-Whitney U test, or chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation factors of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Results:The incidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in children with septic shock was 30.0% with the lowest LVEF of (42±8)%. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction occurred on (2.4±1.3) days after shock onset, and the LVEF returned to normal on (6.7±3.3) days. Hematogenous infection was more frequent (77.8% vs. 40.5%, P=0.018), ventilator application (83.3% vs. 50.0%, P=0.033) and inotropes and vasopressor drugs (100.0% vs. 64.3%, P=0.009) were used more frequently in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction(n =18), compared with patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction(n =42). Patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction had a lower LVEF [(42±8)% vs. (67±5)%, P<0.001], a lower pediatric critical illness score [(64±13) vs. (76±14), P=0.003], a lower resuscitation success rate at 6 h (38.9% vs. 73.8%, P=0.010), a higher lactate at admission [3.80 (3.15, 5.88) mmol/L vs. 2.70 (1.85, 3.80) mmol/L, P=0.001) and a higher 28-d mortality (38.9% vs. 12.8%, P=0.025) compared with patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Hematogenic infection ( OR=7.358, 95% CI: 1.198~45.197, P=0.031) and lactate at admission ( OR=1.743, 95% CI: 1.041~2.917, P=0.034) were independent risk factors for left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Conclusions:The incidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in children with septic shock was 30.0%. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction usually occurred on (2.4±1.3) days after shock onset and resolved within 7 days, which was associated with 28-d mortality. Hematogenous infection and high lactate value were independent risk factors for left ventricular systolic dysfunction.