A Targeted Management Approach to Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiogenic shock is a clinical syndrome characterized by low cardiac output and sustained tissue hypoperfusion resulting in end-organ dysfunction and death. In-hospital mortality rates range from 50% to 60%. Urgent diagnosis, timely transfer to a tertiary or quaternary medical facility with critical care management capabilities and multidisciplinary shock teams is a must to increase survival. Aggressive, hemodynamically guided medical management with careful monitoring of clinical and hemodynamic parameters with timely use of appropriate mechanical circulatory support devices is often necessary. As treatment options evolve, prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to define best practices that define superior clinical outcomes.