Septic cardiomyopathy: Diagnosis and management
Florence Boissier1,2, Nadia Aissaoui3,4
1Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers 86021, France.
Journal of Intensive Medicine
|February 15, 2023
Summary
Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) is a sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction. Echocardiography, particularly global longitudinal strain, aids diagnosis, guiding management strategies for this critical condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction lacks a clear definition, leading to conflicting research.
- Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) is a critical condition requiring precise diagnostic criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) as a sepsis-associated acute syndrome.
- To highlight diagnostic methods and management strategies for SCM.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction.
- Emphasis on echocardiography, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS).
Main Results:
- SCM involves systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction of the left and/or right ventricles.
- Global longitudinal strain (GLS) may be more sensitive than LVEF for SCM diagnosis.
- Echocardiography is the gold standard, with repeated evaluations recommended.
Conclusions:
- SCM should be considered in patients with sepsis-associated organ dysfunction, especially septic shock.
- Standard management includes etiological treatment, fluid resuscitation, vasopressors, and monitoring.
- The role of inotropes and heart rate control requires further investigation.
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