Contemporary Management of Cardiogenic Shock: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Position paper for the organization of ECMO programs for cardiac failure in adults

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used increasingly for both respiratory and cardiac failure in adult patients. Indications for ECMO use in cardiac failure include severe refractory cardiogenic shock, refractory ventricular arrhythmia, active cardiopulmonary resuscitation for cardiac arrest, and acute or decompensated right heart failure. Evidence is emerging to guide the use of this therapy for some of these indications, but there remains a need for additional evidence to guide best practices. As a result, the use of ECMO may vary widely across centers. The purpose of this document is to highlight key aspects of care delivery, with the goal of codifying the current use of this rapidly growing technology. A major challenge in this field is the need to emergently deploy ECMO for cardiac failure, often with limited time to assess the appropriateness of patients for the intervention. For this reason, we advocate for a multidisciplinary team of experts to guide institutional use of this therapy and the care of patients receiving it. Rigorous patient selection and careful attention to potential complications are key factors in optimizing patient outcomes. Seamless patient transport and clearly defined pathways for transition of care to centers capable of providing heart replacement therapies (e.g., durable ventricular assist device or heart transplantation) are essential to providing the highest level of care for those patients stabilized by ECMO but unable to be weaned from the device. Ultimately, concentration of the most complex care at high-volume centers with advanced cardiac capabilities may be a way to significantly improve the care of this patient population.

A global perspective on vasoactive agents in shock

PURPOSE

We set out to summarize the current knowledge on vasoactive drugs and their use in the management of shock to inform physicians' practices.

METHODS

This is a narrative review by a multidisciplinary, multinational-from six continents-panel of experts including physicians, a pharmacist, trialists, and scientists.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Vasoactive drugs are an essential part of shock management. Catecholamines are the most commonly used vasoactive agents in the intensive care unit, and among them norepinephrine is the first-line therapy in most clinical conditions. Inotropes are indicated when myocardial function is depressed and dobutamine remains the first-line therapy. Vasoactive drugs have a narrow therapeutic spectrum and expose the patients to potentially lethal complications. Thus, these agents require precise therapeutic targets, close monitoring with titration to the minimal efficacious dose and should be weaned as promptly as possible. Moreover, the use of vasoactive drugs in shock requires an individualized approach. Vasopressin and possibly angiotensin II may be useful owing to their norepinephrine-sparing effects.

Development and Testing of a Novel Anaesthesia Induction/Ventilation Protocol for Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition and patients might require rapid sequence induction (RSI) and mechanical ventilation. In this study, we evaluated a new RSI/mechanical ventilation protocol in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

METHODS

We included consecutive adult patients who were transferred to the emergency department. The RSI protocol included 5 phases: preoxygenation, pretreatment, induction/paralysis, intubation, and mechanical ventilation (PPIIM). A posteriori, we selected historical patients managed with standard RSI as a control group. The primary outcome was hemodynamic derangement or hypoxemia from enrollment until intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

RESULTS

We studied 31 consecutive patients who were intubated using the PPIIM protocol and 22 historical controls. We found significant differences in systolic (85.32 ± 4.23 vs 71.72 ± 7.98 mm Hg; P < 0.0001), diastolic (58.84 ± 5.84 vs 39.05 ± 5.63 mm Hg; P < 0.0001), and mean arterial pressure (67.71 ± 4.90 vs 49.90 ± 5.66 mm Hg; P < 0.0001), as well as in partial pressure of oxygen (85.80 ± 19.82 vs 164.73 ± 43.07 mm Hg; P < 0.0001) between the PPIIM and control group at 5 minutes of automated ventilation. Also, statistically significant differences were observed in diastolic (59.74 ± 4.93 vs 47.86 ± 11.47 mm Hg; P < 0.0001) and mean arterial pressure (68.65 ± 4.10 vs 60.23 ± 11.67 mm Hg; P < 0.0001), as well as in partial pressure of oxygen (119.84 ± 50.57 vs 179.50 ± 42.17 mm Hg; P < 0.0001), and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (39.81 ± 10.60 vs 31.00 ± 9.30 mm Hg; P = 0.003) between the 2 groups at ICU admission. Compared with the control group, with PPIIM more patients survived to ICU admission (100% vs 77%) and hospital discharge (71% vs 31.8%), as well as at 90 days (51.6% vs 18.2%), and at 180 days (38.7% vs 13.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The PPIIM protocol allows safe intubation of acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiogenic shock and improves hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters.

Emergency ultrasound and echocardiography in patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock : A survey among members of the German Society of Medical Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

Current international and national guidelines promote the use of emergency echocardiography in patients with cardiogenic shock. We assessed whether these recommendations are followed in clinical practice of infarct-related cardiogenic shock patients. For this purpose we conducted a web-based survey among all members of the German Society of Medical Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN); 40% of the DGIIN members completed the survey. Participants reported that in their department emergency echocardiography/ultrasound is performed on most patients in infarct-related cardiogenic shock presenting to the emergency department/chest pain unit or intensive care unit (58.6% versus 81.4%). Only 33% stated that on patients admitted directly to the catheterization laboratory emergency ultrasound/echocardiography is applied in their institution. Local availability of a standardized algorithm was lacking in the majority of departments (77.2%). A great proportion (38.3%) of participants stated that they personally had no formal training in emergency ultrasound. In order to meet the demands of the current guidelines, in addition to integration of ultrasound examinations into diagnostic algorithms, a structured training of all emergency and intensive care physicians is necessary.

Cardiogenic Shock: Recent Developments and Significant Knowledge Gaps

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) continue to have high rates of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to describe current principles in the management of CS including coronary revascularization, medical management, mechanical circulatory support, and supportive care.

RECENT FINDINGS

Revascularization is still recommended, but trials have not found a benefit in the revascularization of nonculprit artery lesions. New mechanical circulatory support options are available, but optimal use remains uncertain. Overall improvement in outcomes appears to have plateaued. There remain substantial knowledge gaps about the management of CS. The ideal timing and selection criteria for mechanical support remain under-developed. There has been little systematic study to inform medical management or supportive care of this patient population. A more expansive research focus is necessary to improve the care of CS.

Optimal course of treatment in acute cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

About 5% of patients with myocardial infarction suffer from cardiogenic shock as a complication, with a mortality of ≥30%. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention as soon as possible is the most successful therapeutic approach. Prognosis depends not only on the extent of infarction, but also - and even more - on organ hypoperfusion with consequent development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Areas covered: This review covers diagnostic, monitoring and treatment concepts relevant for caring patients with cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction. All major clinical trials have been selected for review of the recent data. Expert commentary: For optimal care, not only primary percutaneous intervention of the occluded coronary artery is necessary, but also best intensive care medicine avoiding the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and finally death. On contrary, intra-aortic balloon pump - though used for decades - is unable to reduce mortality of patients with cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction.

The future of cardiac transplantation

The first human-to-human heart transplant was performed 50 years ago in 1967. Heart transplantation has now entered an era of tremendous growth and innovation. The future of heart transplantation is bright with the advent of newer immunosuppressive medications and strategies that may even result in tolerance. Much of this progress in heart transplant medicine is predicated on a better understanding of acute and chronic rejection pathways through basic science studies. The future will also include personalized medicine where genomics and molecular science will dictate customized treatment for optimal outcomes. The introduction of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices has changed the landscape for patients with severe heart failure to stabilize the most ill patient and make them better candidates for heart transplant. As ex vivo preservation takes hold, we may witness an expansion of the donor pool through the use of donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors. In addition, further geographical donor heart sharing through ex vivo preservation may further decrease waitlist mortality by enabling longer distance donor hearts to be allocated for the sickest waitlist patient. It is no doubt an exciting time to be involved in the field of heart transplantation. In this perspective, we will summarize the present state of heart transplantation and discuss various innovations that are being pursued.

'Combat' Approach to Cardiogenic Shock

The incidence of cardiogenic shock is rising, patient complexity is increasing and patient survival has plateaued. Mirroring organisational innovations of elite military units, our multidisciplinary medical specialists at the INOVA Heart and Vascular Institute aim to combine the adaptability, agility and cohesion of small teams across our large healthcare system. We advocate for widespread adoption of our 'combat' methodology focused on: increased disease awareness, early multidisciplinary shock team activation, group decision-making, rapid initiation of mechanical circulatory support (as appropriate), haemodynamic-guided management, strict protocol adherence, complete data capture and regular after action reviews, with a goal of ending preventable death from cardiogenic shock.

Management of the Critically Ill Adult With Congenital Heart Disease

Survival of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) has improved significantly over the last 2 decades, leading to an increase in hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions of these patients. Whereas most of the ICU admissions in the past were related to perioperative management, the incidence of medical emergencies from long-term sequelae of palliative or corrective surgical treatment of these patients is rising. Intensivists now are confronted with patients who not only have complex anatomy after congenital cardiac surgery, but also complex pathophysiology due to decades of living with abnormal cardiac anatomy and diseases of advanced age. Comorbidities affect all organ systems, including cognitive function, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, liver, and kidneys. Critical care management requires an in-depth understanding of underlying anatomy and pathophysiology in order to apply contemporary concepts of adult ICU care to this population and optimize patient outcomes. In this review, the main CHD lesions and their common surgical management approaches are described, and the sequelae of CHD physiology are discussed. In addition, the effects of chronic comorbidities on the management of critically ill adults are explored, and the adjustments of current ICU management modalities and pharmacology to optimize care are discussed.