A cross-sectional study of acute cor pulmonale in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients in China

Background: Increased right ventricle afterload during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may induce acute cor pulmonale(ACP), which is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Echocardiography is now considered as a rapid and non-invasive tool for diagnosis of ACP. The aims of this study were to investigate the morbidity and mortality rates of ACP in ARDS patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across the mainland of China and to determine the severity and prognosis of ACP in ARDS patients through an ultrasound protocol (TRIP). And the association between ACP related factors and the ICU mortality will be revealed. Methods: This study is a multicenter and cross-sectional study in China which will include ICU participants when diagnosed as ARDS. The ultrasound protocol, known as the TRIP, is proposed as severity assessment for ACP, which includes tricuspid regurgitation velocity (T), right ventricular size (R), inferior vena cava diameter fluctuation (I), and pulmonary regurgitation velocity(P). The 28-day mortality, ICU/hospital mortality, the length of stay in ICU, mechanical ventilation days, hemodynamic parameters and lab parameters of liver function and kidney function are all recorded. Discussion: This large-scale study would give a sufficient epidemic investigation of ACP in ARDS patients in China. In addition, with the TRIP protocol, we expect that we could stratify ACP with more echocardiography parameters. Trial registration: NCT03827863, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03827863 Key words: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Acute cor pulmonale; Echocardiography; Outcome