Preoperative Risk Score for Postoperative Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Adult Cardiac Surgery

Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is common following cardiac surgery, and it is characterised by impaired right ventricular function that can lead to decreased cardiac output and hemodynamic instability. RVD is consistently associated with poor outcomes. The mechanisms behind RVD post-surgery involve changes in preload, after load, and RV contraction. Factors linked to higher incidence of postoperative RVD include decreased tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE), elevated preoperative pulmonary artery pressure, lung diseases, duration of extracorporeal circulation, and left valve surgery. While predictive scores for RVD exist for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients, no such models are available for other cardiac surgeries. Identifying specific predictors could lead to models that identify high-risk patients, allowing for tailored monitoring and treatment strategies. The primary aim of this study is to create a preoperative risk score for predicting the development of right ventricular dysfunction following adult cardiac surgery through a retrospective analysis on patients who underwent heart surgery.