The role of decreased myocardial inotropic function in the development of cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic heart failure and pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background. Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the final result of cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to treat. According to epidemiological studies, the prevalence of severe CHF phenotypes is increasing. To date, predictors of poor prognosis in patients with CHF and pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) have not been determined. Objective. To assess the role of decreased myocardial inotropic function as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular complications in patients with CHF and pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa. Materials and methods. The study included 92 patients who were divided into a group of patients with pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa (Group I) and a group of patients with pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (Group II). All patients underwent routine general clinical examination, determination of NT-proBNP level, transthoracic echocardiography, electrocardiography, Doppler ultrasound of the deep veins of the lower extremities, chest and head CT scan. Results. Cardiovascular complications occurred significantly more often in patients with CHF and pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa than in patients with CHF and pneumonia caused by S. aureus. A decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction <40% was associated with a more severe course of the disease and a greater number of cardiovascular complications (OR 1.833, 95% CI 1.188–3.400; p<0.05). Conclusions. Patients with CHF and P. aeruginosa-associated pneumonia are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular complications than patients with pneumonia caused by S. aureus. Reduced inotropic myocardial function is a reliable predictor of cardiovascular complications. Keywords: heart failure, pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.