Reduced Cardiac Index Reserve and Hypovolemia in Severe Falciparum Malaria

Hugh W.F. Kingston, Aniruddha Ghose, Voravut Rungpradubvong, Sudarat Satitthummanid, M. Trent Herdman, Katherine Plewes, Stije J. Leopold, Haruhiko Ishioka, Sanjib Mohanty, Richard J. Maude, Marcus J. Schultz, Wim K. Lagrand, Md Amir Hossain, Nicholas P.J. Day, Nicholas J. White, Nicholas M. Anstey, Arjen M. Dondorp

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    Abstract

    Background: Impaired microvascular perfusion is central to the development of coma and lactic acidosis in severe falciparum malaria. Refractory hypotension is rare on admission but develops frequently in fatal cases. We assessed cardiac function and volume status in severe falciparum malaria and its prognostic significance. 

    Methods: Patients with severe (N = 101) or acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria (N = 83) were recruited from 2 hospitals in India and Bangladesh, and healthy participants (N = 44) underwent echocardiography. 

    Results: Patients with severe malaria had 38% shorter left ventricular (LV) filling times and 25% shorter LV ejection times than healthy participants because of tachycardia; however, stroke volume, LV internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd), and LV internal diameter in systole (LVIDs) indices were similar. A low endocardial fraction shortening (eFS) was present in 17% (9 of 52) of severe malaria patients. Adjusting for preload and afterload, eFS was similar in health and severe malaria. Fatal cases had smaller baseline LVIDd and LVIDs indices, more collapsible inferior vena cavae (IVC), and higher heart rates than survivors. The LVIDs and IVC collapsibility were independent predictors for mortality, together with base excess and Glasgow Coma Scale. 

    Conclusions: Patients with severe malaria have rapid ejection of a normal stroke volume. Fatal cases had features of relative hypovolemia and reduced cardiac index reserve.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1518-1527
    Number of pages10
    JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
    Volume221
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2020

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