Background: We sought to determine the prognostic value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)-derived right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in haemodynamically stable and intermediate-risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), evaluate continuous RVD parameters, and assess the literature quality.
Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies assessing TTE-derived RVD in haemodynamically stable PE that reported in-hospital adverse events within 30 days. We determined pooled odds ratios (ORs) using a random-effects model, created funnel plots, evaluated the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and performed Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.
Results: Based on 55 studies (17 090 patients, 37.8% RVD), RVD was associated with combined adverse events (AEs) (OR 3.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.59-4.18), mortality (OR 2.00, CI 1.66-2.40) and PE-related mortality (OR 4.01, CI 2.79-5.78). In intermediate-risk patients, RVD was associated with AEs (OR 1.99, CI 1.17-3.37) and PE-related mortality (OR 6.16, CI 1.33-28.40), but not mortality (OR 1.63, CI 0.76-3.48). Continuous RVD parameters provide a greater spectrum of risk compared to categorical RVD. We identified publication bias, poor methodological quality in 34/55 studies and overall low certainty of evidence.
Conclusions: RVD is frequent in PE and associated with adverse outcomes. However, data quality and publication bias are limitations of existing evidence.
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