[Cardiogenic shock in acute myocardial infarct]

Based on clinical records (three years) the authors assessed the characteristics of patients with cardiogenic shock during myocardial infarction (48 of 270 patients with infarctions, i.e. 18%). The mortality of these patients was 77%. The incidence of cardiogenic shock evidently rose with age in both sexes and amounted to as much as 35% in the most advanced age groups. Other "risk factors" for the development of shock were arterial hypertension and diabetes. By dividing patients with myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock into first infarctions (55%) and re-infarctions (45%) it was found that other risk factors for the development of cardiogenic shock are anterior localization of the infarction in first infarctions, and in re-infarctions it is in particular the number of previous infarctions (as they increase the size of the infarction focus). The authors point out that it is essential to pay increased attention to patients with acute infarction to prevent the development of cardiogenic shock (attempt thrombolytic treatment, treatment focused on prevention of ischaemia and arrhythmias). Apply also during its treatment thrombolysis or possibly PTCA.