Significant Valvular Dysfunction and Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock: Insights From the Randomized DOREMI Trial

Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) suffer high rates of in-hospital mortality, with little evidence guiding management. The impact of valvular heart disease in patients with CS remains unclear. We therefore conducted a post hoc analysis of the randomized Dobutamine Compared to Milrinone (DOREMI) trial to determine the impact of valvular disease on outcomes in patients with CS.

We defined significant valvular disease as moderate to severe or greater valvular stenosis or regurgitation and divided participants into a group of those with significant valvular disease and those without. Our primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints included resuscitated cardiac arrest; cardiac transplantation or mechanical circulatory support; nonfatal myocardial infarction; stroke; initiation of renal replacement therapy; as well as changes in renal function, perfusion, and hemodynamics over time.

One hundred eighty-nine (98.4%) participants from the DOREMI trial were included in our analysis, and 74 (39.2%) had significant valvular dysfunction. Thirty-six (48.7%) patients with valvular disease died in hospital, compared with 37 (32.2%) in the comparator group (relative risk, 1.5; 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.15; P = 0.02). Patients with aortic stenosis (2.42, 1.56-3.75; P < 0.01) and patients with mitral regurgitation (1.63, 1.1-2.43; P = 0.02) also had increased incidence of in-hospital mortality. There was no significant difference in any secondary outcomes among groups, apart from variances in mean arterial pressure observed in patients with valvular disease (P < 0.01).

Significant valvular dysfunction is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in patients with CS. Randomized clinical trial data are needed to further elucidate the role of transcatheter valvular interventions as a therapeutic target in this population.