UNDERSTANDING CARDIOGENIC SHOCK

Cardiogenic shock is a condition of diminished cardiac output that severely impairs tissue perfusion. Sometimes it is called pump failure.

How it happens? Occurs in two parts:

• Initial insult 
• Decreased myocardial contractility 
• Decreased stroke volume 
• Decreased left ventricular emptying 
• Left ventricular dilation and backup of blood 
• Increased preload 
• Pulmonary congestion

AND...

• Initial insult 
• Decreased myocardial contractility 
• Decreased stroke volume 
• Increased heart rate 
• Decreased coronary artery perfusion and collateral blood flow 
• Myocardial hypoxia 
• Decreased cardiac output 
• Compensation 
• Decompensation and death.