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Updated: Aug 5, 2025

Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
Contemporary Management of Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction
Leonardo De Luca1,2, Raffaella Mistrulli1, Riccardo Scirpa1
1Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Medicine and Surgery, Division of Cardiology, A.O. San Camillo-Forlanini, 00152 Rome, Italy.
Insights
Management of cardiogenic shock (CS) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) lacks evidence. This review critically overviews revascularisation, medical treatments, and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for improved CS patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with cardiogenic shock (CS) has high mortality.
- Limited evidence-based guidelines exist for CS management, relying on registry data.
- Varied understanding of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) leads to inconsistent CS treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review current literature on managing CS complicating AMI.
- To summarize recent evidence on revascularization, pharmacotherapy, and MCS in CS.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on AMI with CS.
- Analysis of revascularization strategies.
- Evaluation of pharmacological treatments.
- Assessment of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices.
Main Results:
- Suboptimal outcomes persist for AMI patients, particularly those with CS.
- Significant mortality (40-50%) associated with CS.
- Underutilization or overutilization of MCS devices due to knowledge gaps.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for evidence-based strategies in CS management.
- Further research is required to optimize revascularization, medical therapy, and MCS use.
- Standardizing CS treatment protocols is essential for better patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Despite an improvement in pharmacological therapies and mechanical reperfusion, the outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still suboptimal, especially in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). The incidence of CS accounts for 3-15% of AMI cases, with mortality rates of 40% to 50%. In contrast to a large number of trials conducted in patients with AMI without CS, there is limited evidence-based scientific knowledge in the CS setting. Therefore, recommendations and actual treatments are often based on registry data. Similarly, knowledge of the available options in terms of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices is not equally widespread, leading to an underutilisation or even overutilisation in different regions/countries of these treatment options and nonuniformity in the management of CS. The aim of this article is to provide a critical overview of the available literature on the management of CS as a complication of AMI, summarising the most recent evidence on revascularisation strategies, pharmacological treatments and MCS use.
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