Pre-Existing Right Ventricular Dysfunction as an Independent Risk Factor for Post Intubation Cardiac Arrest and Hemodynamic Instability in Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study

Post intubation, cardiac arrest and hemodynamic instability are serious adverse events encountered in critically ill patients. The association of pre-existing right ventricular (RV) dysfunction with post-intubation cardiac arrest and hemodynamic instability in critically ill patients is unknown. The study cohort was categorized into 4 groups based on the pre-existing RV function: normal function, mild dysfunction, moderate dysfunction, and severe dysfunction. Pre-existing moderate and severe RV dysfunctions were independently associated with significantly higher cardiac arrest and/or hemodynamic instability post-intubation in critically ill patients. Pre-existing RV function may be a mortality predictor in critically ill patients undergoing endotracheal intubation.