Optimizing Patient Selection, Referral Timing, and Advanced Therapies in Cardiogenic Shock

The prevalence of cardiogenic shock (CS) has continued to rise over the past 2 decades. The management of this disease process is extensive, involving pharmacologic support, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, and increasingly, mechanical circulatory support. Due to the spectrum of illness within CS, therapeutic strategies must be tailored to each patient based on their presentation, risk factors, shock phenotype, and candidacy for advanced support. In this review, we focus on the evolving criteria for classifying CS and strategies to optimize patient selection, referral timing, and implementation of advanced therapies for patients presenting with CS.