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

Cardiogenic shock and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: etiology and 1-year survival

Objectives. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is used to provide cardiorespiratory support in cardiogenic shock (CS), but selection of patients and timing of ECMO-start remain a challenge. This study aims to describe the 1 year outcome of VA-ECMO for CS with focus on etiology and severity of shock. Methods. VA-ECMO was used on 371 occasions between 2004 and 2019 at our center. Of these, 177 patients received VA-ECMO for CS and were included in this retrospective single-center study. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of all-cause mortality at 1 year. Results. Patients were grouped according to underlying etiology: non-ischemic heart failure (NIHF, N = 49), ischemic heart disease (IHD, N = 83) and miscellaneous diagnoses (Misc, N = 45). Markers of disease severity were lower for patients with NIHF. One year survival was 40% for all patients, 57%, 36% and 27% for the NIHF-, IHD and Misc-groups, respectively (p < .01). Univariable logistic regression analysis identified several variables associated with 1-year mortality, such as underlying etiology, pH and lactate, while biventricular failure was associated with a better prognosis. However, in the multivariable analysis, only ECPR remained significantly associated with increased mortality (OR 3.67, (CI 1.66-8.31), p < .01) Conclusions. In this retrospective study of VA-ECMO for CS, we found an acceptable one-year survival rate of 40%, with a more favorable outcome for NIHF-patients. The negative association of ECPR with a higher 1 year mortality suggests the importance of patient selection as well as timing of the VA-ECMO before deterioration to cardiac arrest.

Early prediction of shock in intensive care unit patients by machine learning using discrete electronic health record data

PURPOSE

To use machine learning to predict new-onset shock for at-risk intensive care unit (ICU) patients based on discrete vital sign data from the electronic health record.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included 11,305 adult cardiac, medical, neurological, and surgical ICU patients who did not have shock within 4 h of ICU admission. We used routine vital sign data collected from the first 4 h of the ICU stay to predict new-onset shock within the subsequent 4 h. We compared logistic regression with machine learning models including elastic net, random forest, boosted trees and extreme gradient boosting (XGB). Median age was 64.0 years (44.5 % females). New-onset shock after 4 h developed in 483 (4.3 %) patients, and these patients had higher ICU (8.5 % vs. 1.9 %) and in-hospital (14.3 % vs. 5.0 %) mortality. Standard logistic regression had limited discrimination for new-onset shock, with the best single predictors being the maximum shock index and the minimum blood pressure during the second 2 h of the ICU stay. Discrimination in the validation cohort (n = 2826) was better for each ML model: elastic net, 0.76; boosted tree, 0.76; random forest, 0.79; XGB, 0.82; each model had ≥ 98 % negative predictive value. Accuracy was highest (81 %) with XGB, although positive predictive value was only 14 %. The XGB model also predicted in-hospital mortality with good discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS

Machine learning prediction models can achieve very good discrimination and accuracy for new-onset shock in ICU patients using vital sign data within 4 h after ICU admission.

Iron deficiency in patients with cardiogenic shock: protocol for a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a severe condition characterised by low cardiac output and often hypotension, which results in organ hypoperfusion due to cardiac failure. As a form of acute heart failure, this condition seems to share similar underlying pathological mechanisms. It is well established that iron deficiency is correlated with chronic and acute heart failure, causing worsening of the symptoms, reduction of quality of life and survival and simultaneously increasing the rehospitalisation rates for all causes in these patients. It remains unclear whether there is an association between iron deficiency and CS. The objective of this scoping review will be to determine the actual state of the art regarding the significance of iron deficiency in patients affected by CS.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will conduct a systematic review of the literature using MEDLINE and EMBASE via 'Ovid' (Elsevier) and Web of Science (2024 Clarivate). The goal is to analyse the incidence and clinical significance of iron deficiency in patients affected by cardiogenic shock. To gain a deeper insight into the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, the review will include basic research conducted on both human subjects and on animal models as well as observational, randomised controlled studies and systematic reviews and meta-analysis. To maximise the identification of relevant reports and reduce loss of information, a systematic search of the literature will be performed from inception until January 2025 using the terms "iron deficiency" as well as "iron", "ferritin", "transferrin", "transferrin saturation", "hepcidin" and "soluble transferrin receptor" matching these terms with the keywords "cardiogenic shock", "acute heart failure", "advanced heart failure", "decompensated heart failure", "lvad", "left ventricular assist device", "mechanical circulatory support", "VA-ECMO" and "Extracorporeal Life Support". We will also use the corresponding MeSH and Emtree terms. In order to find grey literature, we will use the OADT.org internet-based database.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No additional ethics approval is required, as this review is based on existing research without new data collection. Only studies with ethics approval will be included. We plan to publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal and present them at international conferences on cardiology, intensive and acute cardiovascular care, cardiac surgery and cardioanaesthesiology.

The ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate increases cardiac output and cardiac contractility in a porcine model of cardiogenic shock: a randomized, blinded, crossover trial

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is characterized by reduced cardiac output (CO), reduced end-organ perfusion, and high mortality. Medical therapies have failed to improve survival. The ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) enhances cardiac function in heart failure and CS. We aimed to elucidate the cardiovascular and cardiometabolic effects of 3-OHB treatment during CS. In a randomized, assessor-blinded crossover design, we studied 16 female pigs (60 kg, 5 months of age). CS was induced by left main coronary artery microsphere injections. Predefined criteria for CS were a 30% reduction in CO or mixed venous saturation (SvO2). Intravenous 3-OHB infusion and a matching control solution were administered for 120 min in random order. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained by pulmonary artery catheterization and a left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume catheter. Myocardial mitochondrial function was assessed using high resolution respirometry. During CS, infusion with 3-OHB increased CO by 0.9 L/min (95%CI 0.4-1.3 L/min) compared with control infusion. SvO2 (P = 0.026) and heart rate (P < 0.001) increased. Stroke volume (P = 0.6) was not altered. LV contractile function as determined by LV end-systolic elastance improved during 3-OHB infusion compared with control infusion (P = 0.004). Systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased, and diuresis increased. LV mitochondrial function was higher after 3-OHB infusion compared with control. We conclude that 3-OHB infusion enhances cardiac function by increasing contractility and reducing vascular resistance, while also preserving myocardial mitochondrial respiratory function in a large animal model of ischemic CS. These novel findings support the therapeutic potential of exogenous ketone supplementation in CS management.

The Role of a Cardiogenic Shock Team in Decision Making Surrounding Mechanical Circulatory Support

Cardiogenic shock (CS) confers high mortality rates and remains a challenge for cardiovascular specialists. The difficulty in treating CS lies in its complexity, phenotypic heterogeneity, and the need for expedient treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that cardiogenic shock teams (CS teams), consisting of multiple specialists working in tandem with set protocols and care pathways to offer standardized team-based care, may reduce mortality and morbidity in patients with CS. A key reason for improved outcomes may be the team's decisions surrounding the use of temporary mechanical support devices (tMCS). CS teams expedite the identification of patients who require tMCS and determine the most appropriate device based on patient factors, including shock phenotype. The CS team ensures that tMCS best practices are followed and assists in determining the timing of device escalation or de-escalation. This article will discuss the rationale and role of CS teams. The evidence behind CS teams and their impact on tMCS decision making will be reviewed. Recent trial evidence for the use of tMCS in CS secondary to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) will be examined. Considerations for creating and optimizing an AMI-CS team will be highlighted. Finally, we will examine the current use of CS teams, potential challenges, and future directions for establishing CS teams in Canada.

Does Timing of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Impact Early- and Long-Term Outcomes?

BACKGROUND

 The optimal timing of surgical revascularization after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is controversial, with some suggesting higher mortality rates in patients undergoing early surgery. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of the timing of surgical revascularization on 30-day mortality and long-term outcomes in these patients.

METHODS

 Retrospective single-center analysis of patients with STEMI undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between January 2008 and December 2019 at our institution. The cohort was split into three groups based on time from symptom onset until surgical revascularization (Group 1: <12 hours, Group 2: 12-72 hours, Group 3: >72 hours). Statistical analyses were performed with and without patients in cardiogenic shock. Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 10-year survival.

RESULTS

 During the study period, 437 consecutive patients underwent surgical revascularization in the setting of STEMI. The mean age was 67.0 years, 96 (22.0%) patients were female, and 281 (64.3%) patients underwent off-pump CABG. The overall 30-day mortality including patients with cardiogenic shock was 12.8%. The 30-day mortality was 16.1, 13.9, and 9.3% in Groups 1, 2, and 3 (p = 0.31), whereas 10-year survival was 48.5, 57.3, and 54.9% (log-rank: p = 0.40). After exclusion of patients in cardiogenic shock, there was no difference between the three groups in 30-day and 10-year mortality. Timing of surgery had no influence on early- and long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

 In patients with STEMI, early surgical revascularization achieved similar early- and long-term survival rates compared with a delayed surgical revascularization strategy. Hence, when indicated, an early CABG strategy has no disadvantages in comparison to a delayed strategy.

Differences in Care and Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock in Cardiac Intensive Care Units in the United States and Canada: CCCTN Registry Insights

BACKGROUND

Mortality in cardiogenic shock (CS) remains high. Significant interhospital heterogeneity in critical care therapies has been described, which reflects the lack of high-quality evidence to guide optimal treatment. We aimed to describe differences in practices and clinical outcomes among patients with CS in the United States and Canada.

METHODS

The Critical Care Cardiology Trials Network (CCCTN) is a research network of tertiary cardiac intensive care units (CICUs). Data collection spanned from 2017 to 2022. The analysis included 34 American and 8 Canadian sites. The outcomes of interest included baseline clinical differences, use of critical care monitoring and therapies, and all-cause in-hospital mortality between patients with CS in the United States and Canada admitted to CICUs.

RESULTS

Among 23,299 admissions, 19% had CS (n = 4336, 88% United States vs 12% Canada). The proportion of patient who received invasive hemodynamics (United States: 80.8% vs Canada: 74.8%, P = 0.0015), vasoactive medications (United States: 88.9% vs Canada: 82.1%, P < 0.0001), temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) (United States: 39.4% vs Canada: 23.1%, P < 0.0001) were more frequent in US centres. Intra-aortic balloon pump was the most common tMCS device in both countries. After multivariable adjustment, in-hospital mortality was higher in Canada vs United States (37.1% vs 29.4%, odds ratio [OR]: 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.83).

CONCLUSIONS

In a contemporary registry, management of CS was heterogenous between the United States and Canada, with higher use of invasive monitoring and MCS in the US. Although adjusted mortality was lower in the United States, the effects of these treatments cannot be reliably determined without randomized trial data.

From Escalate to Elevate: A New Paradigm for Comprehensive Cardiogenic Shock Management

Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) present with critical hemodynamic compromise with low cardiac output (CO) resulting in end-organ dysfunction. Prognosis is closely related to the severity of shock, and treatment of patients with CS is resource intensive. In this review, we consider the current treatment paradigms alongside the evidence that underpins them. The current standard of treatment relies on a feedback mechanism, where small changes in treatment are assessed to see if clinical improvement occurs. This leads to delays that increase time in the shock state. The novel approach described proposes immediate treatment to ameliorate the shock state to "break" the shock spiral as quickly and decisively as possible, suggesting new metrics to measure performance.

Definition, Classification, and Management of Primary Noncardiac Causes of Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex syndrome, presenting with a critical state of cardiac output insufficient to support end-organ perfusion requirements. Contemporary CS classification recognizes broad categories of primary cardiac etiologies of CS, such as acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. Primary noncardiac etiologies of CS, however, are poorly described in literature and have not been captured by any contemporary classification, leading to challenges in diagnosing and managing these cases. In this review, we propose that primary noncardiac causes of CS be recognized as its own category that builds on the original Shock Academic Research Consortium classification with its own additional modifiers. We present a detailed framework that groups each noncardiac cause by its underlying disease mechanism (vascular, infectious, inflammatory, traumatic, toxic, cancer related, endocrine, metabolic) and review available literature on their respective management strategies. We expect that the ability to classify primary noncardiac causes of CS will help with early identification and targeted management of the primary noncardiac insult, support patients through their shock state, and may lead to improvement of in-hospital CS mortality rates in clinical practice. Moreover, this new framework can further assist clinical trial classifications to properly phenotype CS for clinical research purposes.

Validation of the echoSHOCK protocol for diagnosing the cause of shock in patients arriving at the emergency department

OBJECTIVES

Nontraumatic undifferentiated shock is difficult to manage in the emergency department due to unclear causes, lack of history, and rapid patient deterioration. Timely and appropriate resuscitation is crucial, but both inadequate and excessive resuscitation increase mortality risks. Focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) offers a timely and noninvasive cardiac assessment. The echoSHOCK protocol is derived from FoCUS and improves the ability to identify the etiology of shock in patients at the emergency department. This study's primary objective was to validate the echoSHOCK protocol for diagnosing the cause of shock in patients arriving at the emergency department. This study's secondary objective was to determine the prevalence of different etiologies of shock in patients arriving at the emergency department.

METHODS

Adult patients presenting to the emergency department in shock were included in the study after informed consent was obtained. The shock was defined as a systolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg or a mean arterial pressure of <65 mmHg with signs of poor tissue perfusion. Each patient underwent a detailed history, physical examination, and standard investigations. Clinicians reported a presumed etiology and management plan with a confidence level (0-10). The echoSHOCK protocol was then executed and its results were recorded with the respective confidence levels. The protocol used a phased array probe in B-mode solely and assessed left ventricle function, compressive pericardial effusion, right ventricular dilatation, interventricular septum flattening, and indicators of hypovolemia. The time taken to perform the protocol and the difficulty level were noted. An expert panel followed the patient till hospital discharge and provided the final diagnosis and intervention.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 223 patients with a mean age of 49.12 years. The echoSHOCK protocol showed a 94.2% agreement with expert panel diagnoses on the cause of shock and proposed interventions, with a statistically significant near-perfect agreement (Cohen's Kappa -0.896, P < 0.001 and 0.897, P < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, the agreement between the clinical assessment, routine workup, and expert panel diagnoses was 46.2% on the cause of shock and 45.7% on the proposed interventions, respectively. The echoSHOCK protocol's median feasibility score was 7 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6-8), and its median performance time was 7 min (IQR: 6-10). Confidence in diagnoses was significantly higher with echoSHOCK (mean: 7.14) than with clinical examination (mean: 4.47) (Wilcoxon Test: P <0.001).

CONCLUSION

The echoSHOCK protocol rapidly identifies shock etiology in patients at the emergency department. This aids in rapid resuscitation.

The current use of vasoactive agents in cardiogenic shock related to myocardial infarction and acute decompensated heart failure

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a heterogeneous condition associated with exceptionally high mortality rates, despite significant advances in the field of cardiology. The primary causes of CS are myocardial infarction-related CS (AMI-CS) and acute decompensated heart failure-related CS (ADHF-CS). Management of CS is inherently complex, with the initial focus-irrespective of the underlying etiology-centered on preserving end-organ perfusion. Parenteral vasopressors and inotropes are the cornerstone of therapy to achieve this objective. However, data on the comparative efficacy of different vasoactive agents in CS remain limited, and no single agent has demonstrated clear superiority. Recent progress in the staging and phenotyping of CS has provided a framework for more tailored therapeutic approaches. This review offers a comprehensive and updated summary of current evidence on the use of vasopressors and inotropes in AMI-CS and ADHF-CS, including a discussion of specific scenarios, such as right ventricular CS (RV-CS).

Extracorporeal life support after surgical repair for acute type a aortic dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in patients after surgical repair for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) has not been well documented.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the outcomes of ECLS after surgery for ATAAD with data published by October 2023 in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guidelines. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023479955).ResultsTwelve observational studies met our eligibility criteria, including 280 patients. Mean age was 55.0 years and women represented 25.3% of the overall population. Although the mean preoperative left ventricle ejection fraction was 59.8%, 60.8% of patients developed left ventricle failure and 34.0% developed biventricular failure. Coronary involvement and malperfusion were found in 37.1% and 25.6%, respectively. Concomitant coronary bypass surgery was performed in 38.5% of patients. Regarding ECLS, retrograde flow (femoral) was present in 39.9% and central cannulation was present in 35.4%. In-hospital mortality was 62.8% and pooled estimate of successful weaning was 50.8%. Neurological complications, bleeding and renal failure were found in 25.9%, 38.7%, and 65.5%, respectively.ConclusionECLS after surgical repair for ATAAD remains associated with high rates of in-hospital death and complications, but it still represents a chance of survival in critical situations. ECLS remains a salvage attempt and surgeons should not try to avoid ECLS at all costs after repairing an ATAAD case.

ECLS-SHOCK and DanGer Shock: Implications for Optimal Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support Use for Cardiogenic Shock Due to Acute Myocardial Infarction

Despite concerted efforts to rapidly identify patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) and provide timely revascularization, early mortality remains stubbornly high. Although artificially augmenting systemic flow by using temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) devices would be expected to reduce the rate of progression to multiorgan dysfunction and thereby enhance survival, reliable evidence for benefit has remained elusive with lingering questions regarding the appropriate selection of both patients and devices, as well as the timing of device implantation relative to other critical interventions. Further complicating matters are the resource-intensive multidisciplinary systems of care that must be brought to bear in this complex patient population. Until recently, studies of tMCS were extremely heterogeneous in design, populations treated, and timing of device implantation with regard to shock onset and revascularization. Attempts at summarizing the available data had resulted in a lack of clear benefit for any type of tMCS modality. On this background, 2 landmark trials of tMCS in the setting of AMI-CS---ECLS-SHOCK and DanGer Shock---have recently been published with divergent results that deserve detailed consideration. Thus, we provide a detailed narrative review of the current state of knowledge regarding tMCS for AMI-CS. The most common types of tMCS and related evidence are presented, as well as evidence for organizational considerations, such as the shock team. We also provide some insight into how this new evidence may be incorporated into practice and influence future research.

Cardiogenic shock mortality according to Aetiology in a Mediterranean cohort: Results from the Shock-CAT study

AIMS

Mortality in cardiogenic shock (CS) remains elevated, with the potential for CS causes to impact prognosis and risk stratification. The aim was to investigate in-hospital prognosis and mortality in CS patients according to aetiology. We also assessed the prognostic accuracy of CardShock and IABP-SHOCK II scores.

METHODS

Shock-CAT study was a multicentre, prospective, observational study conducted from December 2018 to November 2019 in eight university hospitals in Catalonia, including non-selected consecutive CS patients. Data on clinical presentation, management, including mechanical circulatory support (MCS) were analysed comparing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related CS and non-AMI-CS. The accuracy of CardShock and IABP-SHOCK II scores to assess 90 day mortality risk were also compared.

RESULTS

A total of 382 CS patients were included, age 65.3 (SD 13.9) years, 75.1% men. Patients were classified as AMI-CS (n = 232, 60.7%) and non-AMI-CS (n = 150, 39.3%). In the AMI-CS group, 77.6% were STEMI. Main aetiologies for non-AMI-CS were heart failure (36.2%), arrhythmias (22.1%) and valve disease (8.0%). AMI-CS patients required more MCS than non-AMI-CS (43.1% vs. 16.7%, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in AMI-CS (37.1 vs. 26.7%, P = 0.035), with a two-fold increased risk after multivariate adjustment (odds ratio 2.24, P = 0.019). The IABP-SHOCK II had superior discrimination for predicting 90 day mortality when compared with CardShock in AMI-CS patients [area under the curve (AUC) 0.74 vs. 0.66, P = 0.047] although both scores performed similarly in non-AMI-CS (AUC 0.64 vs. 0.62, P = 0.693).

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, AMI-CS mortality was increased by two-fold when compared with non-AMI-CS. IABP-SHOCK II score provides better 90 day mortality risk prediction than CardShock score in AMI-CS, but both scores performed similar in non-AMI-CS patients.

The Comparative Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Management of Cardiogenic Shock Associated With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Advanced Heart Failure

Cardiogenic shock (CS) results from low cardiac output caused by myocardial dysfunction, coupled with systemic end-organ tissue hypoperfusion and elevated ventricular filling pressures, along a spectrum of shock severity. This narrative review aims to compare the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and contemporary management of 2 common etiologies of CS caused by acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) and advanced heart failure (HF-CS). CS complicates up to 14% of AMI and 5% of HF admissions. Rapid therapeutic intervention after prompt recognition of CS etiology is the mainstay toward improving clinical outcomes and mitigating end-organ sequelae and death. In AMI-CS, persistent hypotension often leads to subsequent hypoperfusion and congestion, and early culprit coronary artery lesion revascularization is critical. In HF-CS, congestion often precedes hypoperfusion and hypotension, and targeting the underlying nonischemic cause of myocardial dysfunction is key. Tailoring of hemodynamic strategies with vasoactive agents and temporary mechanical circulatory and end-organ support to manage the predominant ventricular failure, hemometabolic phenotypes, and shock severity associated with each etiology is discussed. Given the limited evidence-base in CS care, we also highlight potential knowledge gaps ripe for future exploration.

The dosage makes the poison - ECMO support considerations in poisoning

Acute poisoning may lead to life-threatening conditions that require advanced life support, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Data about the use of ECMO in intoxications and overdose are limited to case reports and case series. This review focuses on the classification of toxic agents, mechanisms of toxicity, treatment strategies, and predictors of mortality among ECMO-supported patients. Cardiogenic shock and arrhythmias can arise from cardiovascular toxins, including β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and tricyclic antidepressants, while severe respiratory failure can result from respiratory toxins such as opioids and paraquat. ECMO is used as a bridge to recovery, transplantation, or adjunctive therapies, and the survival rates vary widely. Mortality predictors include severe acidosis (pH< 7.1) and the need for renal replacement therapy prior to ECMO. Despite its lifesaving potential, ECMO does not treat the underlying toxicity; it only stabilizes patients during the clearance of toxin or the administration of antidotes. Nevertheless, ECMO is a valuable but underutilized tool in managing severe poisoning that offers nonspecific organ support, particularly in refractory cardiogenic shock and respiratory failure, and it provides critical time for recovery. Future research should address data gaps, including underreporting of non-survivors, to better understand ECMO's role and outcomes in intoxication management.

Enhancing Care in Cardiogenic Shock: Role of Palliative Care in Acute Cardiogenic Shock Through Destination Therapy

Despite advances in the management of cardiogenic shock (CS), morbidity and mortality in CS remain exceedingly high and one third of patients do not survive their admission. Palliative care (PC) is an interdisciplinary approach focussed on improving the quality of life of patients and families facing life-threatening illness. Rates of PC use in CS remain low, despite evidence suggesting decreased symptom burden and reduced use of health care in patients with heart failure and in critical care settings. PC should occur in tandem with mobilization of aggressive life-sustaining measures such as mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the care of patients presenting with CS. In this review, we describe the role of PC throughout the care continuum of patients with acute CS through to destination therapy with a left ventricular assist device. We explore the current use of PC in CS and challenges to goals-of-care discussions posed by MCS and ECMO, and highlight strategies on integrating PC in acute and chronic CS. Finally, we demonstrate the importance of incorporating PC early in management and challenge the traditional use of PC primarily as an end-of-life intervention.

Mechanical Circulatory Support for Acute Myocardial Infarction Cardiogenic Shock: Review and Recent Updates

Cardiogenic shock (CS) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by systemic hypoperfusion that can quickly progress to multiorgan failure and death. Various devices and configurations of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) exist to support patients, each with unique pathophysiological characteristics. The Intra-aortic balloon pump can improve coronary perfusion, decrease afterload, and indirectly augment cardiac output. TandemHeart, a percutaneous ventricular assist device, can decrease left ventricular preload and directly augment cardiac output. Neither the intra-aortic balloon pump nor the percutaneous ventricular assist device has been shown to decrease mortality in the revascularization era. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can offer complete cardiopulmonary support; however, it has not been shown to decrease mortality. Recent studies have indicated that microaxial flow pumps, such as Abiomed's Impella family of devices, can decrease mortality in the AMI-CS population. Managing AMI-CS requires careful clinical assessment, as no single MCS device is universally effective, and device-related complications are common. While venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provides complete support, it has not demonstrated a mortality benefit in major trials and carries significant risks. In contrast, microaxial flow pumps have shown a mortality benefit but with higher complication rates. Ongoing research and advancements aim to refine MCS strategies, improve device safety, and enhance patient outcomes.

Red blood cell transfusion in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - the disconnect between oxygen delivery and tissue oxygenation

BackgroundRed cell transufion in veno-arterial membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has been widely debated.PurposeThis narrative review aims to examine the historical and current approaches of red cell transfusion in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) to enhance oxygen delivery. It will explore the potential benefits and pitfalls of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in VA ECMO, including relationship between haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, tissue oxygenation and patient outcomes associated with transfusion. Following it will review the impact of cardiogenic shock on the microcirculation, performance of transfused RBC and effects of the ECMO circuit on RBC function. It will conclude with an introduction to potential mechanisms by which we might manipulate red cells to improve tissue oxygenation, without augmentation of Hb concentration.ConclusionFurther research is needed to provide insight into optimal RBC transfusion thresholds and strategies to augment red cell function to optimise tissue oxygenation in VA ECMO.

Transfer to Hub Hospitals and Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock

BACKGROUND

There are limited large-scale data on the outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) transferred to hub centers. This study aimed to compare the characteristics and outcomes of transferred patients with CS versus those who were not transferred.

METHODS

Adults (aged ≥18 years) with a primary or secondary diagnosis of CS were identified from the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016-2020) and stratified by transfer status. Overlap propensity score weighting was performed to assess the association between transfer status and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes, including length of hospital stay, hospitalization costs, and readmissions for cardiac and noncardiac etiologies, were assessed using multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Of 314 098 patients with CS (27% with acute myocardial infarction-related CS and 73% with nonacute myocardial infarction-related CS), 30 630 (9.8%) were transferred. In the unweighted population, compared with nontransferred patients, transferred patients were on average younger (65 versus 68 years), had higher comorbidities, and were more likely to be cared for at large teaching hospitals. During the hospitalization, they had higher rates of renal failure, pulmonary artery catheter use, and mechanical circulatory support use. In-hospital mortality was lower in transferred patients-39.1% versus 47.1%; unadjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.71 (95% CI, 0.70-0.73); adjusted OR, 0.73 ([95% CI, 0.71-0.76]; P<0.001). This was consistent across subgroups of CS cause, age, sex, hospital location, mechanical circulatory support use, and presence of cardiac arrest. The transferred cohort had lower costs and length of stay, but more frequent all-cause (adjusted OR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.16-1.27]), cardiac (adjusted OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.11-1.22]), heart failure (adjusted OR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.08-1.21]), and noncardiac readmissions (adjusted OR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.21-2.33]) at 30 days postdischarge compared with the nontransferred cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite higher comorbidity, organ failure, and use of cardiac/noncardiac procedures, patients with CS who were transferred to hub centers had lower in-hospital mortality, hospitalization costs, and length of stay.

Therapeutic novelties in acute heart failure and practical perspectives

Acute Heart Failure (AHF) is a leading cause of death and represents the most frequent cause of unplanned hospital admission in patients older than 65 years. Since the past decade, several randomized clinical trials have highlighted the importance and pivotal role of certain therapeutics, including decongestion by the combination of loop diuretics, the need for rapid goal-directed medical therapies implementation before discharge, risk stratification, and early follow-up after discharge therapies. Cardiogenic shock, defined as sustained hypotension with tissue hypoperfusion due to low cardiac output and congestion, is the most severe form of AHF and mainly occurs after acute myocardial infarction, which can progress to multiple organ failure. Although its prevalence is relatively low, cardiogenic shock complicates 12% of acute myocardial infarction. After a brief summary of the epidemiology of AHF and cardiogenic shock, followed by key pathophysiological points, we detailed current treatments in AHF and cardiogenic shock what every anaesthesiologist and intensivist needs to know, based on the latest guidelines and randomized clinical trials published in recent years.

Global longitudinal strain is a predictor of mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock

AIMS

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a critical manifestation of severe cardiac dysfunction, necessitating precise evaluation of left ventricular (LV) function by transthoracic echocardiography. The prognostic value of global longitudinal strain (GLS) has not been examined in patients with CS. Therefore, we aimed to assess the prognostic significance of GLS in patients with CS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a retrospective study of patients with CS from 2007 to 2018 who had a transthoracic echocardiography performed within 24 h of admission. GLS was measured, and conventional parameters were obtained. LV dysfunction was categorized by GLS: > 9.7% (Quartile 1), 7.0% < GLS ≤ 9.7% (Quartile 2), 5.0% < GLS ≤ 7.0% (Quartile 3), and ≤5.0% (Quartile 4). Outcomes included in-hospital and 1-year all-cause mortality. Among 623 patients with CS with the median LVEF of 31% [inter-quartile range (IQR): 24-41%] and the median GLS of 7.0% (IQR: 5.0-9.7%), in-hospital mortality was 29%. Mortality increased across GLS quartiles: Quartile 1: 17%; Quartile 2: 22%; Quartile 3: 35%; and Quartile 4: 42%. GLS remained the only independent echocardiographic predictor of in-hospital mortality after adjusting for clinical covariates (adjusted odds ratio: 1.23 per 1% decrease, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.46, P = 0.015). GLS independently predicted 1-year all-cause mortality (P < 0.001). The prognostic value of GLS was superior in cases with acute coronary syndrome. A classification and regression tree analysis identified GLS as the most important echocardiographic variable for predicting in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

GLS independently predicted short- and long-term mortality in patients with CS, surpassing conventional echocardiographic parameters in prognostic value, supporting its potential role in risk stratification in this population.

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential: contribution to disease and promising interventions

In clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), subpopulations of blood cells carrying somatic mutations expand as the individual ages, and this expansion may elevate risk of blood cancers as well as cardiovascular disease. Individuals at higher risk of CHIP and therefore of CHIP-associated disease can be identified through mutational profiling, and the apparently central role of inflammation in CHIP-associated disease has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. While CHIP is often associated with negative health outcomes, emerging evidence suggests that some CHIP-related mutations may also exert beneficial effects, indicating a more complex role in human health. This review examines current understanding of the epidemiology and clinical significance of CHIP and the role of inflammation in driving its association with disease risk. It explores the mechanisms linking CHIP to inflammation and risk of cardiovascular and other diseases, as well as the potential of personalizing therapies against those diseases for individuals with CHIP.

AI-powered model for predicting mortality risk in VA-ECMO patients: a multicenter cohort study

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a critical life support technology for severely ill patients. Despite its benefits, patients face high costs and significant mortality risks. To improve clinical decision-making, this study aims to develop a non-invasive, efficient artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled model to predict the risk of mortality within 28 days post-weaning from VA-ECMO. A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted across five hospitals in China, including all the patients who received VA-ECMO support between January 2020 and January 2024. Based on the innovatively selected 25 easily obtainable patient examination features as potentially relevant, this study involved developing ten predictive models using both classical and advanced machine learning techniques. The model's performance is evaluated using various statistical metrics and the optimal predictive model are identified. Feature correlations are analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) are employed to interpret feature importance. Decision curve analysis is used to evaluate the clinical utility of the predictive models. The study included 225 patients, with 66 patients from one hospital forming the training cohort. Three validation cohorts were used: internal validation with 16 patients from the training hospital and external validation with 30 and 60 patients from the other 4 hospitals. The random forest model emerged as the best predictor of 28-day mortality, achieving an AUROC of 1.00 in the training cohort and 1.00, 0.97, and 0.93 in the three validation cohorts, respectively. Despite the limited training data, the developed model, eCMoML, demonstrated high accuracy, generalizability and reliability. The model will be available online for immediate use by clinicians. The eCMoML model, validated in a multicenter cohort study, offers a rapid, stable, and accurate tool for predicting 28-day mortality post-VA-ECMO weaning. It has the potential to significantly enhance clinical decision-making, helping doctors better assess patient prognosis, optimize treatment plans, and improve survival rates.

Mortality With Impella Is Lowest in Overweight and Obese but Is Highest in Morbid Obesity

INTRODUCTION

Mortality of cardiogenic shock remains high, prompting increased use of mechanical circulatory support devices such as Impella. This study sought to characterize whether weight categories predict mortality in patients who received Impella devices.

METHODS

We used data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from the years 2016 to 2020 and ICD-10-CM/PCS codes to evaluate the effect of weight categories on mortality in patients undergoing Impella implantation.

RESULTS

A total of 86 810 patients underwent Impella device implantation, with an overall mortality of 29.85%. Mortality for normal weight was 30.4%, similar to cachexia (30.3%) and morbidly obese patients (31.1%). However, the overweight and obese categories had the lowest mortality (13.4% and 24.9%, p < 0.0001). Using multivariate analysis adjusting for comorbid conditions, overweight and obesity remained significantly associated with the lowest mortality (overweight: OR: 0.3, CI: 0.16-0.68, p = 0.003, Obese: OR: 0.8, CI: 0.71-0.91, p < 001) whereas morbid obesity was associated with the highest mortality (OR: 1.17, CI: 1.02-1.34, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Using a large database, we found that overweight and obesity have a protective effect on mortality in patients undergoing Impella insertion. However, morbid obesity appears to have detrimental effects.

U shaped relationship between mean arterial pressure and 28 day mortality in ICU patients with acute myocardial infarction

The current study aims to investigate the correlation between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the risk of 28-day mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from the eICU database, focusing on patients with acute myocardial infarction. We employed a multivariable logistic regression model to estimate the relationship between MAP and the 28-day mortality rate. Among 8161 patients with a median age of 67 years, 602 (7.38%) died within 28 days of ICU admission. Smooth curve fitting and generalized additive model analysis identified a threshold effect at MAP of 84 mmHg. We found that when MAP is less than 84 mmHg, a 10 mmHg increase in MAP reduces the mortality rate by approximately 40.13%. Specifically, for every 1 mmHg increase in MAP within this range, the mortality rate decreases significantly by 5% (OR = 0.95, 95% CI (0.93, 0.96), p < 0.0001). Conversely, above the threshold (MAP ≥ 84 mmHg), for every 10 mmHg increase, the mortality rate increases by 34.39% (OR = 1.3439, calculated based on the fact that a 1 mmHg MAP increase causes a 3% mortality rise (OR = 1.03, 95% CI (1.02, 1.03), p < 0.0001), showing a U-shaped association between MAP and 28-day mortality. We found that the baseline MAP at ICU admission, when in the range of 57-110 mmHg, was associated with the lowest 28-day all-cause mortality risk. The relationship between MAP and the risk of 28-day mortality forms a U-shaped curve, indicating that both higher and lower MAP levels are associated with an increased risk of 28-day mortality in ICU-admitted patients.

Lactate infusion improves cardiac function in a porcine model of ischemic cardiogenic shock

BACKGROUND

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality and medical therapies have failed to improve survival. Treatment with lactate is associated with improved cardiac function which may benefit this condition. Comprehensive hemodynamic assessment of lactate administration in CS is lacking, and the mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular effects of lactate in CS have not yet been elucidated. In this study we aimed to study the cardiovascular and cardiometabolic effects of treatment with lactate in experimental ischemic CS.

METHODS

In a randomized, blinded design, 20 female pigs (60 kg) were studied. Left main coronary artery microsphere injections were used to cause CS, defined as a 30% reduction in CO or mixed venous saturation (SvO2). Subjects were randomized to receive either intravenous exogenous lactate or euvolemic, equimolar saline (control) for 180 min. Positive inotropic control with dobutamine was administered on top of ongoing treatment after 180 min. Extensive hemodynamic measurements were obtained from pulmonary artery and left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume catheterization. Furthermore, endomyocardial biopsies were analyzed for mitochondrial function and arterial, renal vein, and coronary sinus blood samples were collected. The primary endpoint was change in CO during 180 min of treatment.

RESULTS

Arterial lactate levels increased from 2.4 ± 1.1 to 7.7 ± 1.1 mmol/L (P < 0.001) during lactate infusion. CO increased by 0.7 L/min (P < 0.001) compared with control, due to increased stroke volume (P = 0.003). Notably, heart rate and mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly between treatments. End-systolic elastance (load independent contractility) was enhanced during lactate infusion (P = 0.048), together with LV ejection fraction (P = 0.009) and dP/dt(max) (P = 0.041). Arterial elastance (afterload) did not differ significantly (P = 0.12). This resulted in improved ventriculo-arterial coupling efficiency (P = 0.012). Cardiac mechanical efficiency (P = 0.003), diuresis (P = 0.016), and SvO2 (P = 0.018) were increased during lactate infusion. Myocardial mitochondrial complex I respiration was enhanced during lactate infusion compared with control (P = 0.04). Concomitant administration of dobutamine on top of lactate resulted in further hemodynamic improvements compared with control.

CONCLUSIONS

Lactate infusion improved cardiac function and myocardial mitochondrial respiration in a porcine model of CS. The hemodynamic effects included increased CO mediated through stroke volume increase. These favorable cardiovascular effects may benefit patients with CS.

Association between hemoglobin glycation index and adverse outcomes in critically ill patients with myocardial infarction: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The prognosis of critically ill patients with myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with metabolic disturbances. The hemoglobin glycation index (HGI), a marker of glycemic variability, has been linked to adverse outcomes in critically ill populations. This study aimed to explore the relationship between HGI and adverse outcomes in critically ill MI patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This retrospective cohort study used data from the MIMIC-IV database, focusing on critically ill MI patients. Linear regression was applied to model the relationship between glucose and HbA1c, from which HGI values were calculated. Patients were grouped into quartiles based on HGI. Primary outcomes included 30-day, 180-day, and 365-day all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards models, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were employed to assess the relationship between HGI and adverse outcomes. A total of 2480 patients were included. Lower HGI was associated with significantly increased risks of 30-day, 180-day, 365-day, and hospital all-cause mortality. RCS analysis revealed an inverse J-shaped relationship between HGI and mortality risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Low HGI in critically ill MI patients is significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality, highlighting its potential as a prognostic marker for early risk stratification and management optimization.

Protocol-Driven Best Practices and Cardiogenic Shock Survival in Asian Patients

BACKGROUND

Cardiogenic shock carries high mortality. This study investigated the relationship between protocol-advocated best practices and outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with cardiogenic shock supported by Impella CP in an Asian tertiary cardiac center were evaluated for 30-day post percutaneous ventricular assist device (PVAD) survival after adopting a standardized protocol emphasizing early mechanical circulatory support (shock-to-PVAD time ≤180 minutes), pulmonary artery catheterization for invasive hemodynamics, and safe vascular access.

RESULTS

Of 109 consecutive patients (mean age 58.5±11.2, 80.7% male, 67% acute myocardial infarction, 33% acute decompensated heart failure), 45 (41.3%), 33 (30.3%), and 31 (28.4%) were in SCAI Shock Stages C, D, and E, respectively. A suggestive trend of improving 30-day survival was observed (56.8%, 63.9%, and 72.2% in successive one thirds, P1, P2, and P3 of patients), paralleling a similar trend in achievement of best practices. Patients achieving all 3 best practices significantly increased from 35.1% (P1) to 52.8% (P3) (P=0.026). Median shock-to-PVAD time reduced from 5 [interquartile range: 2-23] hours (P1) to 1.5 [1-5] hours (P3) (P for trend=0.014), whereas pulmonary artery catheterization utilization (80.6-86.1%) and device-related major vascular complications (5.6-8.4%) remained relatively stable. Achieving more best practices was significantly associated with better 30-day survival, with patients achieving all 3, 2, and ≤1 best practices had 30-day survival rates of 75.0%, 63.6%, and 35.7%, respectively (P=0.043). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, shock-to-PVAD time >180 minutes remained an independent predictor of mortality (P=0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Achievement of protocol-advocated best practices, especially early shock recognition and prompt PVAD support in appropriate patients, was associated with improved outcomes with PVAD use in cardiogenic shock. Future studies are suggested to confirm the benefits of a protocolized approach and evaluate the value of individual best practices.

Profiling of Cardiogenic Shock: Incorporating Machine Learning Into Bedside Management

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex clinical syndrome with various etiologies and clinical presentations. Despite advances in therapeutic options, mortality remains high, and clinical trials in the field are complicated in part by the heterogeneity of CS patients. More individualized targeted therapeutic approaches might improve outcomes in CS, but their implementation remains challenging. The present review discusses current and emerging machine learning-based approaches, including unsupervised and supervised learning methods that use real-world clinical data to individualize therapeutic strategies for CS patients. We will discuss the rationale for each approach, potential advantages and disadvantages, and how these strategies can inform clinical trial design and management decisions.

Case report: ST-elevation myocardial infarction complications. How far will you go?

Herein, we review the critical role of a multi-disciplinary team approach in managing the intricate complications of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implantation represents a potentially life-saving intervention, often serving as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx). However, complications from prior interventions, in patients receiving MCS due to STEMI-CS, may present additional challenges to successful HTx candidacy. A 63-year-old male suffered out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and was hospitalized due to acute anterior STEMI-CS. Emergency percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in the setting of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Despite successful revascularization and subsequent optimal medical therapy hemodynamic status remained compromised, the decision was made to implant a HeartMate 3 (HM3) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a bridge to HTx. HM3 LVAD was implanted without complications and patient was weaned from mechanical ventilation. The later postoperative period was complicated by infections leading to the LVAD-related complications. Moreover, the patient experienced repeated episodes of stridor, which were attributed to significant tracheal stenosis (due to temporary tracheostomy). Finally, a suitable heart donor was found and a successful HTx was performed.

Circulating levels of miR-20b-5p are associated with survival in cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a medical emergency with high in-hospital mortality. New biomarkers are needed to identify patients at a greater risk of adverse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) in assessment of the outcome of cardiogenic shock. Circulating miRNA levels were measured by quantitative PCR in plasma samples collected at baseline from 165 patients of the multicenter, prospective, observational CardShock study and compared between in-hospital and 90-day survivors and non-survivors. Of the 10 studied miRNAs, median levels of miR-20b-5p at baseline were significantly higher in in-hospital and 90-day survivors compared to non-survivors [median 0.014 arbitrary units (AU) (interquartile range (IQR) 0.003-0.024) vs. 0.008 AU (IQR 0.001-0.015), p = 0.013] and [0.015 AU (IQR 0.003-0.025) vs. 0.010 AU (IQR 0.001-0.015), p = 0.012], respectively. In Cox regression analysis, miR-20b-5p levels in the highest quartile were significantly associated with 90-day survival (adjusted hazard ratio 2.47 (95 % confidence interval 1.16-5.28), p = 0.019) when adjusted for CardShock Risk Score variables (age, confusion at presentation, previous myocardial infarction or coronary artery bypass grafting, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) etiology, left ventricular ejection fraction, lactate, and estimated glomerular filtration rate). A similar association of highest quartile miR-20b-5p levels with 90-day survival was also confirmed in ACS patient subcohort (79 % of CS patients). The results of this study indicate that circulating levels of miR-20b-5p at baseline could help in assessing in-hospital and 90-day survival in CS patients.

European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) 2025 clinical practice guideline on fluid therapy in adult critically ill patients: part 2-the volume of resuscitation fluids

OBJECTIVE

This European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on the volume of early resuscitation fluid for adult critically ill patients.

METHODS

An international panel of experts developed the guideline, focusing on fluid resuscitation volume in adult critically ill patients with circulatory failure. Using the PICO format, questions were formulated, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was applied to assess evidence and formulate recommendations.

RESULTS

In adults with sepsis or septic shock, the guideline suggests administering up to 30 ml/kg of intravenous crystalloids in the initial phase, with adjustments based on clinical context and frequent reassessments (very low certainty of evidence). We suggest using an individualized approach in the optimization phase (very low certainty of evidence). No recommendation could be made for or against restrictive or liberal fluid strategies in the optimization phase (moderate certainty of no effect). For hemorrhagic shock, a restrictive fluid strategy is suggested after blunt trauma (moderate certainty) and penetrating trauma (low certainty), with fluid administration for non-traumatic hemorrhagic shock guided by hemodynamic and biochemical parameters (ungraded best practice). For circulatory failure due to left-sided cardiogenic shock, fluid resuscitation as the primary treatment is not recommended. Fluids should be administered cautiously for cardiac tamponade until definitive treatment and guided by surrogate markers of right heart congestion in acute pulmonary embolism (ungraded best practice). No recommendation could be made for circulatory failure associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

The panel made four conditional recommendations and four ungraded best practice statements. No recommendations were made for two questions. Knowledge gaps were identified, and suggestions for future research were provided.

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in patients suffering cardiogenic shock

AIMS

Cardiogenic shock (CS) patients suffer from severe organ hypoperfusion, yet the incidence of secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SSC-CIP) in CS is poorly described. Given the limited evidence and severity of this syndrome, we aimed to further investigate SSC-CIP in the context of CS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

24 251 total CS patients admitted between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2023 were retrospectively screened for the diagnosis of SSC-CIP across nine German tertiary care centers. Following identification of confirmed SSC-CIP diagnosis, baseline characteristics, laboratory values, SSC-CIP-specific imaging, diagnostics, and outcomes were obtained for analysis. 35 CS patients with a diagnosis of SSC-CIP were identified, representing a prevalence of 0.14% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10, 0.19]. Patients were predominantly male (77.1%) with a median age of 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 52.5, 68.0). Acute myocardial infarction (42.9%) was the most common aetiology of CS, followed by cardiac arrhythmias (20.0%). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed in 77.1% of cases after a median of 33 days following CS onset [IQR 24, 65], showing typical biliary casts (60.0%), intraductal filling defects (28.6%), and bile duct obliteration (20.0%). Cast removal and stent placement was performed in nearly half of ERCP procedures (45.7%). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was performed in 22.9% of cases and showed intraductal dilation (11.4%), lumen narrowing (17.1%), or strictures (14.3%). Median intensive care unit and hospital length of stay was 43 days [IQR 33, 66] and 58 days [IQR 33, 88], respectively. In-hospital mortality was 57.1%. One-year (65.7%) and 3-year (71.4%) mortality remained high. Two patients underwent liver transplantation after a median of 113 days [IQR 105, 122] and were alive at 3-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicentre retrospective analysis in a high-risk CS cohort, SSC-CIP was a rare yet serious complication of intensive care unit stay with high in-hospital mortality. Treatment options are limited, and liver transplantation remains the only viable long-term treatment option.

Protocolised Management of Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock in Australia-Initial Experience From a Hub-and-Spoke Model

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS) confers short-term mortality of 40%-50%. Protocolised network management of AMICS patients as part of a hub-and-spoke model supported by upstream mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is gaining traction globally to treat AMICS.

METHOD

We conducted a prospective multicenter study in Melbourne, Australia describing our 5-year experience utilizing a protocolised hub-and-spoke model of care for patients with AMICS supported by planned upstream use of Impella CP (Abiomed, Danvers, MA).

RESULTS

From December 2019 to August 2024, 31 patients were treated for AMICS with Impella MCS support. Median age was 60 years and 87% were males. ST-elevation myocardial infarction accounted for 84% of presentations, and 29% were complicated by cardiac arrest. The majority of patients treated were in SCAI-CSWG stage D (52%), and stage C (26%) shock. Upstream Impella prior to PCI occurred in 84% of patients. The 30-day survival rate was 74%. An adverse event occurred in 39% of patients. Device-related complications were due to hemolysis (32%) and arrhythmia (3%). Escalation of MCS support was required in five patients (16%). Multivariate analysis identified patients requiring transfer to the hub center prior to revascularisation as an independent predictor of mortality (OR 13.2 [1.34-129.3] p = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

In this first protocolised hub-and-spoke model of care for AMICS supported by planned upstream use of Impella in Australia, 30-day survival was high compared to published historical rates. Patient and device-related complication rates were low. Expansion of the hub-and-spoke model for the treatment of AMICS appears warranted.

Expert Opinion: ECLS-SHOCK Trial

ECLS-SHOCK is the largest randomized control trial on Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in Acute Myocardial Infarction-related Cardiogenic Shock (AMI-CS). Unfortunately, ECLS-SHOCK failed to demonstrate a reduction of mortality in AMI-CS with VA-ECMO. Interpretation of these findings must account for frequent crossover to VA-ECMO or other temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) devices in the control group, as well as the exceptionally high severity of illness among participants. We detail here point by point what could explain the outcomes and the unanswered questions. In the light of these results, a liberal use of VA-ECMO might be avoided. Further trials are needed to refine patient selection criteria and determine the optimal timing ("sweet-spot") for VA-ECMO implementation. Current practice and future guidelines will have to take in count ECLS-SHOCK results.

Weakness acquired in the cardiac intensive care unit: still the elephant in the room?

Over the past two decades, the cardiac critical care population has shifted to increasingly comorbid and elderly patients often presenting with nonprimary cardiac conditions that exacerbate underlying advanced cardiac disease. Consequently, the modern cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patient has poor outcome regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction. Importantly, delayed liberation from organ support, independent from premorbid health status and admission severity of illness, has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality up to years post-general critical care. Although a constellation of several acquired morbidities is at play, the most prominent enactor of poor long-term outcome in this population appears to be intensive care unit acquired weakness. Although the specific burden of ICU-acquired morbidities in CICU patients is yet to be clearly defined, it seems unfathomable that patients will not accrue some sort of ICU-related morbidity. There is hence an urgent need to better establish the exact benefit and cost of resource-intensive strategies in both short- and long-term survival of the CICU patient. Consequent and standardized documentation of admission comorbidities, severity of illness indicators, relevant ICU-related complications including weakness, and long-term post-ICU morbidity outcomes can help our understanding of the disease continuum and how to better care for the CICU survivor and their families and caregivers. Given increasing budgetary pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, interventions targeting CICU patients should focus on improving patient-centred long-term outcomes in a cost-effective manner. It will require a holistic and transmural continuity of care model to meet the challenges associated with treating critically ill cardiac patients in the future.

Informing Management of Patients Developing Cardiogenic Shock at a Spoke and Being Transferred to a Hub

BACKGROUND

Multidisciplinary teams and regionalized care systems have been suggested to improve cardiogenic shock (CS) outcomes. We sought to identify clinical factors associated with successful outcomes for patients developing CS at an outside healthcare facility (spoke) and being transferred to a quaternary medical center (hub).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive patients with CS were evaluated (N=1162). Our study cohort comprised 412 patients developing CS at a spoke. Our primary end point was native heart survival (NHS) defined as survival to discharge without receiving advanced heart failure therapies. Secondary end points were survival to discharge, 30-day and 1-year survival after discharge, and adverse events. Association of clinical data with NHS was analyzed using logistic regression. Overall, 246 (59.7%) patients achieved NHS, 125 (30.3%) died, and 41 (10.0%) were discharged after advanced heart failure therapies. Of the 287 patients who were discharged (69.7%), 276 (67.0%) were alive at 30 days, and 250 (60.7%) at 1 year. Patients with NHS less commonly had bleeding or vascular complications or acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy compared with patients who died or received advanced heart failure therapies. Significant multivariable factors associated with NHS likelihood included younger age; shorter length of stay and transfer from a secondary compared with a tertiary/quaternary level of care spoke; absence of cardiac arrest, intubation, or type 3 bleeding; lower vasoactive-inotropic score; higher left ventricular ejection fraction at admission to the hub; and shorter CS onset-to-temporary mechanical circulatory support deployment time.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified clinical factors reflecting disease severity and management practices including length of stay and spoke level of care, inotrope/vasopressor utilization, and CS onset-to-temporary mechanical circulatory support deployment time, that might inform the management of patients developing CS at a spoke.

Clinical use and impact of mechanical circulatory support for myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock in the Netherlands: a registry-based propensity-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite limited beneficial evidence, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is commonly used in patients with acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS). In this Dutch registry, we investigated MCS usage, associated patient characteristics and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This real-world, multicentre registry included CS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention between 2017 and 2021 in 14 Dutch hospitals. The impact on clinical outcomes was analysed after 1:1 average propensity-score (aPS) matching.

RESULTS

This AMI-CS registry included 2217 patients with a mean age of 66.4 (±12.3) years and predominantly male (72.8%, n=1613). MCS was deployed in 516 patients (23.3%), of which the intra-aortic balloon pump was used most frequently (n=253, 49.0%). Impella was used in 94 patients (18.2%), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 68 patients (13.2%) and 95 patients (18.4%) received multiple devices. Patients receiving MCS were younger (64.2 vs 67.0, p<0.01), presented with lower mean arterial pressures (74.7 vs 78.4 mm Hg, p<0.01), higher heart rates (88.3 vs 81.7 beats per minute, p<0.01) and higher initial lactate levels (6.4 vs 5.4 mmol/L, p<0.01). The percentage of resuscitated patients was comparable among MCS and non-MCS patients (38.6% vs 42.2%, p=0.17). The 30-day mortality rate was higher in MCS patients (55.0% vs 34.7%, p<0.01). After aPS-matching (n=970), 30-day mortality remained higher for MCS patients (53.8% vs 44.7%, p<0.01), with an associated OR of 1.44 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.85, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite limited evidence, MCS was used in a fourth of all AMI-CS patients. MCS usage was associated with an increased 30-day mortality in this real-world setting, even after propensity-matching.

Geospatial Access to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a Geospatial Information System analysis of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) centers in the United States utilizing data from the U.S. Census Bureau to better understand access to ECMO care and identify potential disparities.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive and statistical analysis of geospatial access to ECMO-capable centers in the United States, accounting for demographic variables.

SETTING

The unit of analysis were U.S. Census block groups and demographic variables of interest obtained from the American Community Survey.

PATIENTS

Patients accounted for in the U.S. Census data.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-seven percent of the U.S. population had direct access to ECMO-capable centers. Disparities were present, with Puerto Rico, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Alaska having no access. Poverty, increased age, and lower population density consistently correlated with limited access. We identified significant racial and ethnic disparities in the Midwest and Northeast.

CONCLUSIONS

While 67% of the U.S. population had access to ECMO-capable centers by ground transportation, significant disparities in access exist. These findings emphasize the need for thoughtful implementation of ECMO systems of care to ensure equitable access. Future work should focus on developing novel systems of care that increase access utilizing advanced technology, such as aeromedical transport services.

ENIGMA-shock: protocol for a study framEwork for aN InteGrated assessMent of cArdiac rehabilitation programmes in patients acutely managed for cardiogenic shock

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) has been focused historically on single interventions (medical treatments, percutaneous and surgical interventions and, more recently, various temporary mechanical circulatory supports). However, none of these interventions has significantly changed the short-term prognosis of CS. Moreover, considerable interest in interventions applied in the acute setting has not been matched with comprehensive assessment of patients' long-term follow-up, not only for survival and rehospitalisation but also for quality of life and functional status, recovery from critical illness and its destructive sequelae, and a global evaluation of the overall sustainability of pathways of care. To fill this knowledge gap, the ENIGMA study will be conducted.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a prospective and retrospective multicentre registry conducted under the scientific coordination of the IRCCS Fondazione Don Gnocchi and funded by the Italian Ministry of Health (PNRR-MCNT2-2023-12377767). Data referring to 2000 patients included in the Altshock registry, the largest multicentre CS registry in Italy, will be analysed. A standardised protocol of high-intensity cardiac rehabilitation has been defined and will be followed by the involved institutions after the inclusion of the first 1000 patients. Where feasible, this new pathway will be implemented in every institution. All the patients enrolled will be evaluated according to the Long-Term Conditions Questionnaire, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and a questionnaire on the patient experience at 6-month follow-up, to evaluate real-life comparative effects on patient outcomes and experiences. In conclusion, a health technology assessment (HTA) analysis, grounded in the EUnetHTA Core Model, will be conducted to define the potential multidimensional benefits and effects with regard to the overall economic, organisational and social sustainability of the innovative dedicated pathway. Various data sources will be used to conduct the HTA: (1) literature evidence, to define the evidence-based comparative indicators considering both surgical approaches; (2) real-world anonymised data from the hospitals included in the study, to enable costing of the rehabilitative pathways; and (3) healthcare professionals' perceptions, defining the perceived added value of the innovative pathway versus the historical one, based on an evaluation scale ranging from -3 to +3.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved by the ethical committee (EC) of Lombardy Region (CET 44/24), on 28 May 2024, and is under evaluation by the EC of three other centres. The study protocol will be evaluated for ethics by 10 more centres in January 2025. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed publications and disseminated through conference presentations. The Associazione Nazionale Scompensati Cardiaci (AISC; 'National Association of Patients with Heart Failure'), the Progetto Vita initiative and the non-profit organisation 'Heart Helps Heart' have endorsed the project and will be involved in disseminating information about the project and its outcomes to the general public.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The ENIGMA-shock study has been registered at ClincialTrials.gov: NCT06572826.

Clinician Perspectives of Barriers and Enablers to Quality Cardiogenic Shock Care: A Focus Group Study

BACKGROUND & AIM

Cardiogenic shock is a medical emergency that is associated with high mortality rates. It is a resource-intensive and costly condition that is complicated by comorbidities and clinical deterioration. However, the barriers and enablers to quality cardiogenic shock care are relatively unknown from the perspective of Australian clinicians. This study aimed to i) To explore clinicians' perspectives on the barriers to delivering these best practice care and optimal outcomes for patients with cardiogenic shock; and ii) To understand priorities to overcome these barriers, with the intent of using the findings to inform the development and implementation of a clinical trial for cardiogenic shock management-ESCAPE-CS: Evaluation of a Standardised ClinicAl Pathway to improve Equity and outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock (ESCAPE-CS).

METHOD

A qualitative focus group study was conducted via videoconference with experienced clinicians, and audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis in NVivo.

RESULTS

Five focus groups were conducted, including 19 participants (11 male and eight female), comprising seven intensive care unit physicians, seven nurse consultants/educators, three cardiologists, and two emergency department physicians working in metropolitan and rural, regional, or remote health settings. Five themes were identified: CONCLUSIONS: This study provided critical insights into the barriers and possible enablers to delivering best practice care and optimal outcomes for patients with cardiogenic shock. There is scope for an improved model of care in cardiogenic shock management to address inequalities emerging from multifactorial complexities.

Mechanical circulatory support for complex, high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention

The evidence base evaluating the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices in complex, high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention is evolving from a small number of randomised clinical trials to incorporate an amassing body of real-world data. Due to both the growing incidence of the procedures and the limitations of the evidence, there is wide variability in the use of MCS, and the benefits are actively debated. The goal of this review is to perform an integrated analysis of randomised and non-randomised studies which have informed clinical and regulatory decision-making in contemporary clinical practice. In addition, we describe forthcoming studies that have been specifically designed to advance the field and resolve ongoing controversies that remain unanswered for this complex, high-risk patient population.

Validation of a biomarker-based mortality score for cardiogenic shock patients: Comparison with a clinical risk score

AIMS

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is the deadliest manifestation of acute heart failure, with persistently high mortality rates and a lack of recent therapeutic breakthroughs. Accurate risk prediction is crucial in clinical decision-making and the design of future clinical trials. We aimed to validate the CLIP score, a biomarker-based risk score comprising cystatin C, lactate, interleukin-6 and NT-proBNP, for predicting mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) related CS, and to compare its predictive value with the previously published CardShock risk score.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study is a post hoc analysis of the CardShock Study, a prospective, observational European multicentre study on CS. The CLIP score was calculated 12 h after hospital admission, and its ability to predict 90-day mortality was assessed using are under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. The discriminative ability of the CLIP score was compared with the CardShock risk score by comparing the AUC's. The cohort was dichotomized into low and high risk groups by the optimal cut-off value derived from the ROC analysis of the CLIP score. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to evaluate risk stratification when combining the CLIP and CardShock risk scores. The cohort (n = 121) comprised 77% (n = 93) men and the median age was 67 years (IQR 61-76). A total of 21% (n = 25) of the patients had non-ACS related CS. The CLIP score demonstrated appropriate predictive accuracy for 90-day mortality (AUC 0.84, 95% CI 0.77-0.91), comparable with the CardShock risk score (AUC 0.77 [95% CI 0.69-0.85]; P = 0.064 for comparison). A CLIP score cut-off of 0.28 stratified patients into high risk (65% mortality) and low risk (16% mortality) groups. In addition, incorporating the CLIP score enhanced risk stratification in all CardShock risk score categories.

CONCLUSIONS

The CLIP score, calculated within 12 h of hospital admission, accurately predicted 90-day mortality in CS and complemented the CardShock risk score. The biomarker-based score has potential utility in dynamic mortality risk assessment and could inform clinical management and trial design.

Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stage E Shock: Insights From the RECOVER III Study

Background

The present analysis reports characteristics and outcomes of Society of Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) stage E shock patients with acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock (AMICS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who improved to stage C or D within 24 hours of Impella support ("responders") vs those patients who remained in stage E ("nonresponders").

Methods

The SCAI shock stage was assigned prior to initiation of Impella, and a second SCAI shock classification was performed within 24 hours of Impella support. SCAI shock stage was assigned independently by 2 reviewers; in cases where there was a discrepancy, a third reviewer adjudicated the stage assignment. Criteria such as a low pH (≤7.1), the need for multiple vasopressors/mechanical circulatory support devices, or the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation were used to define stage E shock.

Results

Of the 415 RECOVER III patients, 298 presented in stage E shock; 152 (51.1%) were responders and 145 (48.8%) were nonresponders. Kaplan-Meier 30-day survival estimates were 56.9% and 28.6% in responders and nonresponders, respectively (P < .001). In multivariate analysis, fewer inotropic medications during Impella support (P < .0001), more lesions treated (P = .01), Impella support initiated pre-PCI (P = .03), and baseline white blood cell (P = .048) were all significant predictors for responsiveness to therapy.

Conclusions

Stage E patients who improved to stage C/D within 24 hours of Impella support had significantly better survival than those who remained in stage E. Predictors of responsiveness to therapy were mostly related to shock treatment strategy, and not baseline characteristics. This suggests that whether stage E patients will improve with Impella support is difficult to determine at the time support is initiated, and the SCAI shock stage should be repeated within 24 hours to more accurately determine the prognosis.

Corticosteroids in Cardiogenic Shock: A Retrospective Analysis of the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV Database

IMPORTANCE

While corticosteroid administration in septic shock has been shown to result in faster shock reversal and lower short-term mortality, the role of corticosteroids in the management of cardiogenic shock (CS) remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVES

Determine the impact of corticosteroid administration on 90-day mortality (primary outcome) in patients admitted to a critical care unit with CS.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this retrospective cohort study, we used the critical care database of Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV, and included all adult patients diagnosed with CS excluding repeated admissions, patients with adrenal insufficiency, those receiving baseline corticosteroids, and those requiring extracorporeal life support. We considered exposure based on receiving systemic corticosteroids from 6 hours before to 24 hours post-critical care admission.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

We calculated Cox proportional hazards using multivariate analysis for 90-day mortality (primary outcome). We also explored the association of corticosteroid use with hospital length of stay, ventilator-free days (VFDs), vasopressor-free days, ventilator-associated pneumonia, central-line-associated bloodstream infections, and hyperglycemia.

RESULTS

We included 2000 eligible patients, with 143 (7.2%) receiving systemic corticosteroids. Corticosteroid-treated patients were younger (67.7 vs. 71.2 yr; p = 0.006), had higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores at baseline (9.4 vs. 7.8; p < 0.001), and more often required vasopressors (78% vs. 63%; p < 0.001), and invasive mechanical ventilation (73% vs. 45%; p < 0.001). Corticosteroid use was associated with increased 90-day mortality in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.25-2.05) and fewer VFDs (2.8 d fewer; 95% CI, 0.35-5.26) with no effect on other secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Use of corticosteroids may be associated with increased mortality and a reduction in VFDs in patients admitted to critical care with CS. These findings suggesting potential harm of corticosteroids in CS might reflect unmeasured confounding and require corroboration through additional observational studies and ultimately randomized clinical trials.

Mechanical circulatory support for cardiogenic shock during the peripartum period

BACKGROUND

Cardiomyopathies account for more than half of the cardiovascular disease during the peripartum period. In the extreme, patients may present with cardiogenic shock (CS) requiring mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The aim of this study was to report our experience with CS requiring MCS in the peripartum period.

METHODS

We present a single-center retrospective analysis of all CS cases involving MCS during the peripartum period that occurred between 2012 and 2023.

RESULTS

Eleven cases were included. Median age was 33, median BMI was 30.4, and 73% underwent a caesarian-section for delivery. CS presentation occurred in 36.4% during pregnancy and in 63.6% after delivery. Most patients were in Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) Stage C shock and in 37% the suspected etiology was peripartum cardiomyopathy. MCS usage included intra-aortic balloon pump (4), Impella microaxial blood pump (2), veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (6), and temporary right ventricle assist devices (2), with some patients having multiple MCS devices. The rate of major complications was 36.4%. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 7 patients had sustained cardiac recovery (63.6%), 1 patient (9.1%) underwent cardiac transplantation, 2 patients (18.2%) received a durable LVAD, and 2 (18.2%) have died.

CONCLUSION

MCS in severe CS cases during the peripartum period is rare and associated with favorable outcomes. High recovery rates suggest favoring first MCS/LVAD over transplant.