[Left ventricular unloading in cardiogenic shock]

Cardiogenic shock is an acute life-threatening condition, which results in impaired end-organ perfusion and oxygenation. Invasive ventilation and medicinal treatment with inotropes or vasopressors are necessary in most cases; however, they are also associated with reduced long-term prognosis. Frequently, medical treatment is not even sufficient to stabilize the patient; therefore, dedicated mechanical circulatory support devices that actively reduce the load on the left ventricle were developed to allow myocardial recovery or to gain time until definitive treatment. These systems are now available for implementation at large centers.