Low tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion is associated with a poor outcome in patients with COVID-19 A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess whether tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) could be used as a prognostic tool in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Methods: Studies on the relationship between TAPSE and COVID-19 since February 2021. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the effect size. The potential for publication bias was assessed using a contour-enhanced funnel plot and Egger test. A meta-regression was performed to assess if the difference in TAPSE between survivors and nonsurvivors was affected by age, sex, hypertension or diabetes. Results: Sixteen studies comprising 1579 patients were included in this meta-analysis. TAPSE was lower in nonsurvivors (SMD -3.24 (-4.23, -2.26), P < .00001; I-2 = 71%), and a subgroup analysis indicated that TAPSE was also lower in critically ill patients (SMD -3.85 (-5.31, -2.38,), P < .00001; I-2 = 46%). Heterogeneity was also significantly reduced, I-2 < 50%. Pooled results showed that patients who developed right ventricular dysfunction had lower TAPSE (SMD -5.87 (-7.81, -3.92), P = .004; I-2 = 82%). There was no statistically significant difference in the TAPSE of patients who sustained a cardiac injury vs those who did not (SMD -1.36 (-3.98, 1.26), P = .31; I-2 = 88%). No significant publication bias was detected (P = .8147) but the heterogeneity of the included studies was significant. A meta-regression showed that heterogeneity was significantly greater when the incidence of hypertension was <50% (I-2 = 91%) and that of diabetes was <30% (I-2 = 85%). Conclusion: Low TAPSE levels are associated with poor COVID-19 disease outcomes. TAPSE levels are modulated by disease severity, and their prognostic utility may be skewed by pre-existing patient comorbidities. Trial retrospectively registered (February 12, 2021): PROSPERO CRD42021236731

Automated summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the use of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) as a prognostic tool in patients with COVID-19. The results showed that lower TAPSE levels are associated with poor disease outcomes. TAPSE levels are modulated by disease severity and patient comorbidities.