The microcirculation in cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition characterized by inadequate cardiac output, leading to end-organ hypoperfusion and associated mortality rates ranging between 40 and 50%. The critical role of microcirculatory impairments in the progression of organ failure during shock has been highlighted in several studies. Traditional therapies have often focused on stabilizing macrocirculation, neglecting microcirculatory dysfunction, which can result in persistent tissue hypoxia and poor outcomes. This review highlights the importance of assessing microcirculation in cardiogenic shock, including parameters such as skin perfusion, sublingual microcirculation, and lactate dynamics. Integrating microcirculatory assessments into clinical practice remains challenging due to the complexity of the methods and limited therapeutic options targeting microvascular perfusion. While advances in microcirculation-guided therapies hold promise for improving outcomes in cardiogenic shock, further research is needed to establish effective protocols.