Cardiogenic Shock: Treatment

The treatment of cardiogenic shock complicating the acute coronary syndromes consists of medical therapy, percutaneous revascularization procedures, cardiac surgery, and the implantation of devices. Medical therapy is limited to different positive inotropic and vasoactive drugs, without any firm evidence of survival benefit using these drugs. Several new pharmacologic compounds are at different stages of clinical research, but are not yet routinely approved for the treatment of cardiogenic shock. The only evidence-based therapy with proven survival benefit is timely revascularization. Intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation maintains its central role as supportive treatment in cardiogenic shock patients. Anecdotal evidence is available about the use of ventricular assist devices, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and emergent heart transplantation.