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Clinical Profiles and Prognostic Patterns in Critically Ill Cardiac Patients Requiring Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: A Five-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Critically ill cardiac patients who require invasive mechanical ventilation represent a high-risk population with persistently elevated in-hospital mortality, despite advances in cardiovascular and critical care management. Real-world data describing clinical profiles and prognostic patterns in this population remain limited. Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize clinical profiles and prognostic patterns among critically ill cardiac patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and to identify variables associated with in-hospital mortality. Methods: We conducted a five-year retrospective observational cohort study, including 492 adult patients admitted to a tertiary cardiovascular intensive care unit who required invasive mechanical ventilation. The demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, primary cardiac diagnoses, major in-hospital complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality were analyzed. Results: The overall in-hospital mortality was 53.9%. Acute myocardial infarction was the most frequent primary diagnosis. Advanced age, diabetes mellitus, cardiogenic shock, acute renal dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction and prolonged hospitalization were significantly associated with increased mortality (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Cardiogenic shock showed the strongest association (p < 0.001). Ventilator-associated respiratory infections occurred in 16.9% of patients, and were associated with a prolonged hospital stay (p < 0.05), without a statistically significant association with mortality. Conclusions: Critically ill cardiac patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation exhibit distinct high-risk clinical profiles characterized by advanced age, cardiogenic shock, metabolic comorbidities, and the development of multi-organ dysfunction. These findings highlight prognostic patterns that may support risk stratification and generate hypotheses for future prospective studies in cardiac intensive care.

Source: Diagnostics

DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16081237

Authors: Liviu Macovei, Andreea Chiper, Daniel Dăscălescu, Cristian Stătescu, Grigore Tinică

Institution: Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Language: English

Topic: Respiratory Support and Mechanisms

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137