Association between reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and functional outcomes in acute stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a measure of cardiac function and often reduced LVEF is indicative of cardiomyopathy/heart failure. The current study evaluated whether reduced LVEF is associated with poor outcomes and mortality in acute stroke.

Methods

Articles that compared poor outcomes (modified Rankin scale 3–6) or mortality in people with reduced LVEF compared to preserved LVEF in acute ischemic stroke were searched in the following databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Biomed central, and Cochrane Library. The last search was on March 17, 2024. The results obtained were pooled in meta-analyses.

Results

A total of 28933 participants were enrolled from 17 articles. Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction was independently associated with poor outcomes at 90 days (OR:2.38 CI95 % 1.52;3.71; I² = 71 %), the same was observed for death at 90 days (OR:3.15 CI 95 % 1.43; 6.96; I² = 60 %).

Conclusion

Reduced LVEF is associated with poor functional outcomes and death within 3 months after acute ischemic stroke compared to the setting in which LVEF is preserved.