Learn About Cardiogenic Shock

What is the definition of Cardiogenic Shock?

Cardiogenic shock takes place when the heart is unable to supply enough blood and oxygen to the organs of the body.

What are the alternative names for Cardiogenic Shock?

Shock - cardiogenic

What are the causes of Cardiogenic Shock?

The most common causes of cardiogenic shock are serious heart conditions. Many of these occur during or after a heart attack (myocardial infarction). These complications include:

  • A large section of heart muscle that no longer moves well or does not move at all
  • Breaking open (rupture) of the heart muscle due to damage from the heart attack
  • Dangerous heart rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or supraventricular tachycardia
  • Pressure on the heart due to a buildup of fluid around it (pericardial tamponade)
  • Tear or rupture of the muscles or tendons that support the heart valves, especially the mitral valve
  • Tear or rupture of the wall (septum) between the left and right ventricles (lower heart chambers)
  • Very slow heart rhythm (bradycardia) or problem with the electrical system of the heart (heart block)

Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart is unable to supply as much blood as the body needs. It can happen even if there hasn't been a heart attack. For example, if one of these problems listed above occurs and your heart function drops suddenly. Or if a valve becomes obstructed or if a combination of problems occurs.

What are the symptoms of Cardiogenic Shock?

Symptoms include:

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Coma
  • Decreased urination
  • Fast breathing
  • Fast pulse
  • Heavy sweating, moist skin
  • Lightheadedness
  • Loss of alertness and ability to concentrate
  • Restlessness, agitation, confusion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Skin that feels cool to the touch
  • Pale skin color or blotchy skin
  • Weak (thready) pulse
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What are the current treatments for Cardiogenic Shock?

Cardiogenic shock is a medical emergency. You will need to stay in the hospital, most often in the Intensive or Coronary Care Unit (ICU). The goal of treatment is to find and treat the cause of shock to save your life.

You may need medicines to increase blood pressure and improve heart function, including:

  • Dobutamine
  • Dopamine
  • Epinephrine
  • Levosimendan
  • Milrinone
  • Norepinephrine
  • Vasopressin

These medicines may help in the short-term. They are not often used for a long time.

When a heart rhythm disturbance (dysrhythmia) is serious, urgent treatment may be needed to restore a normal heart rhythm. This may include:

  • Electrical "shock" therapy (defibrillation or cardioversion)
  • Implanting a temporary pacemaker
  • Medicines given through a vein (IV)

You may also receive:

  • Pain medicine
  • Oxygen
  • Fluids, blood, and blood products through a vein (IV)

Other treatments for shock may include:

  • Cardiac catheterization with coronary angioplasty and stenting
  • Heart monitoring to guide treatment
  • Heart surgery (coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve replacement, left ventricular assist device)
  • Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) to help the heart work better
  • Pacemaker
  • Ventricular assist device or other mechanical support
Who are the top Cardiogenic Shock Local Doctors?

University Medical Diagnostic Associates Inc

1801 N Senate Blvd, 
Indianapolis, IN 
 7.5 mi
Accepting New Patients

Ankit Desai is a Cardiologist in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Desai and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiogenic Shock. His top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Cardiogenic Shock, and Pulmonary Edema. Dr. Desai is currently accepting new patients.

The Health And Hospital Corporation Of Marion County

720 Eskenazi Ave, 
Indianapolis, IN 
 8.8 mi
Accepting New Patients

Abhishek Khemka is a Cardiologist in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Khemka and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiogenic Shock. His top areas of expertise are Heart Attack, Familial Ventricular Tachycardia, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST), Necrosis, and Cardiac Ablation. Dr. Khemka is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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The Health And Hospital Corporation Of Marion County

720 Eskenazi Ave, 
Indianapolis, IN 
 8.8 mi
Accepting New Patients

Ronald Mastouri is a Cardiologist in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Mastouri and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cardiogenic Shock. His top areas of expertise are Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST), Familial Ventricular Tachycardia, Coronary Heart Disease, and Heart Attack. Dr. Mastouri is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Cardiogenic Shock?

In the past, the death rate from cardiogenic shock ranged from 80% to 90%. In more recent studies, this rate has decreased to 50% to 75%.

When cardiogenic shock is not treated, the outlook is very poor.

What are the possible complications of Cardiogenic Shock?

Complications may include:

  • Brain damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Liver damage
When should I contact a medical professional for Cardiogenic Shock?

Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have symptoms of cardiogenic shock. Cardiogenic shock is a medical emergency.

How do I prevent Cardiogenic Shock?

You may reduce the risk for developing cardiogenic shock by:

  • Quickly treating its cause (such as heart attack or heart valve problem)
  • Preventing and treating the risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, or tobacco use
What are the latest Cardiogenic Shock Clinical Trials?
Assessment of ECMO in Acute Myocardial Infarction With Non-reversible Cardiogenic Shock to Halt Organ Failure and Reduce Mortality (ANCHOR)

Summary: Data from case series and large retrospective trials suggest that the early treatment of cardiogenic shock AMI patients with the association of VA-ECMO and IABP may significantly decrease mortality, which is still unacceptably high nowadays (40-50% at 30 days). An important benefit for the patients randomized to the ECMO arm is expected and the risk-to-benefit ratio is expected to be in favor of t...

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A Multicentric Left Ventricular Venting Strategy Comparison in Patients Receiving Venoarterial Extracorporeal Life Support

Summary: The present study is an International multicentric prospective observational cohort study. This will be an international research campaign to prospectively collect and analyze clinical data of all VA ECLS patients admitted to participating ICUs with a focus on LV venting modalities. The aims of the study are: * To investigate the meaning of LV overload during veno-arterial (VA) extracorporeal life...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 27, 2024
Published By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Felker GM, Teerlink JR. Diagnosis and management of acute heart failure. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 49.

McMurray JJV, Pfeffer MA. Heart failure: treatment and prognosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024: chap 46.

Rogers JG, O'Connor CM. Heart failure: epidemiology, pathobiology, and diagnosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024: chap 45.