ABSTRACT
DEFINITION Cardiogenic shock remains the leading cause of death in patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction. A primary cardiac dysfunction resulting in inadequate tissue perfusion is the underlying prerequisite. Clinically, cardiogenic shock is defined as: (1) sustained systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg (12 kPa) without hypovolemia, in combination with (2) signs of organ hypoperfusion (e.g. oliguria, impaired consciousness) and (3) signs of sympathetic activation (e.g. cool extremities, sweating). Diagnostic specificity is improved by the finding of low cardiac index (<2.2 l/minute) despite elevated left ventricular filling pressure (>15 mmHg [2 kPa]).
