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Cardiogenic Shock

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By Marianne Belleza, R.N.

What is Cardiogenic Shock?

Cardiogenic shock is also sometimes called pump failure”.

  • Cardiogenic shock is a condition of diminished cardiac output that severely impairs cardiac perfusion.
  • It reflects severe left-sided heart failure.

Pathophysiology

This is what happens in cardiogenic shock:

  1. Inability to contract. When the myocardium can’t contract sufficiently to maintain adequate cardiac output, stroke volume decreases and the heart can’t eject an adequate volume of blood with each contraction.
  2. Pulmonary congestion.The blood backs up behind the weakened left ventricle, increasing preload and causing pulmonary congestion.
  3. Compensation. In addition, to compensate for the drop in stroke volume, the heart rate increases in an attempt to maintain cardiac output.
  4. Diminished stroke volume.As a result of the diminished stroke volume, coronary artery perfusion and collateral blood flow is decreased.
  5. Increased workload. All of these mechanisms increase the heart’s workload and enhance left-sided heart failure.
  6. End result. The result is myocardial hypoxia, further decreased cardiac output, and a triggering of compensatory mechanisms to prevent decompensation and death.

Classification

The causes of cardiogenic shock are known as either coronary or non-coronary.

  • Coronary. Coronary cardiogenic shock is more common than non coronary cardiogenic shock and is seen most often in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
  • Noncoronary. Noncoronary cardiogenic shock is related to conditions that stress the myocardium as well as conditions that result in an ineffective myocardial function.

Statistics and Incidences

Cardiogenic shock could be fatal if left untreated.

  • Cardiogenic shock occurs as a serious complication in 5% to 10% of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction.
  • Historically, mortality for cardiogenic shock had been 80% to 90%, but recent studies indicate that the rate has dropped to 56% to 67% due to the advent of thrombolytics, improved interventional procedures, and better therapies.
  • Incidence of cardiogenic shock is more common in men than in women because of their higher incidence of coronary artery disease.

Causes

Cardiogenic shock can result from any condition that causes significant left ventricular dysfunction with reduced cardiac output.

  • Myocardial infarction (MI).Regardless of the underlying cause, left ventricular dysfunction sets in motion a series of compensatory mechanisms that attempt to increase cardiac output, but later on leads to deterioration.
  • Myocardial ischemia. Compensatory mechanisms may initially stabilize the patient but later on would cause deterioration with the rising demands of oxygen of the already compromised myocardium.
  • End-stage cardiomyopathy.The inability of the heart to pump enough blood for the systems causes cardiogenic shock.

Clinical Manifestations

Cardiogenic shock produces symptoms of poor tissue perfusion.

  • Clammy skin. The patient experiences cool, clammy skin as the blood could not circulate properly to the peripheries.
  • Decreased systolic blood pressure.The systolic blood pressure decreases to 30 mmHg below baseline.
  • Tachycardia. Tachycardia occurs because the heart pumps faster than normal to compensate for the decreased output all over the body.
  • Rapid respirations. The patient experiences rapid, shallow respirations because there is not enough oxygen circulating in the body.
  • Oliguria. An output of less than 20ml/hour is indicative of oliguria.
  • Mental confusion. Insufficient oxygenated blood in the brain could gradually cause mental confusion and obtundation.
  • Cyanosis. Cyanosis occurs because there is insufficient oxygenated blood that is being distributed to all body systems.

Assessment and Diagnostic Findings

Diagnosis of cardiogenic shock may include the following diagnostic tests:

  • Auscultation. Auscultation may detect gallop rhythm, faint heart sounds and, possibly, if the shock results from rupture of the ventricular septum or papillary muscles, a holosystolic murmur.
  • Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP).PAP monitoring may show increase in PAP, reflecting a rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and increased resistance to the afterload.
  • Arterial pressure monitoring. Invasive arterial pressure monitoring may indicate hypotension due to impaired ventricular ejection.
  • ABG analysis. Arterial blood gas analysis may show metabolic acidosis and hypoxia.
  • Electrocardiography. Electrocardiography may show possible evidence of acute MI, ischemia, or ventricular aneurysm.
  • Echocardiography. Echocardiography can determine left ventricular function and reveal valvular abnormalities.
  • Enzyme levels. Enzyme levels such as lactic dehydrogenase, creatine kinase. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase may confirm MI.

Medical Management

The aim of treatment is to enhance cardiovascular status by:

  • Oxygen. Oxygen is prescribed to minimize damage to muscles and organs.
  • Angioplasty and stenting. A catheter is inserted into the blocked artery to open it up.
  • Balloon pump. A balloon pump is inserted into the aorta to help blood flow and reduce workload of the heart.
  • Pain control. In a patient that experiences chest pain, IV morphine is administered for pain relief.
  • Hemodynamic monitoring.An arterial line is inserted to enable accurate and continuous monitoring of BP and provides a port from which to obtain frequent arterial blood samples.
  • Fluid therapy.Administration of fluids must be monitored closely to detect signs of fluid overload.

Pharmacologic Therapy

Drug therapy may include:

  • IV dopamine. Dopamine, a vasopressor, increases cardiac output, blood pressure, and renal blood flow.
  • IV dobutamine. Dobutamine is an inotropic agent that increase myocardial contractility.
  • Norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a more potent vasoconstrictor that is taken when necessary.
  • IV nitroprusside. Nitroprusside is a vasodilator that may be used with a vasopressor to further improve cardiac output by decreasing peripheral vascular resistance and reducing preload.

Surgical Management

When the drug therapy and medical procedures don’t work, then the last option is for surgical procedure.

  • Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP).The IABP is a mechanical-assist device that attempts to improve the coronary artery perfusion and decrease cardiac workload through an inflatable balloon pump which is percutaneously or surgically inserted through the femoral artery into the descending thoracic aorta.

Nursing Care Plans and Management

For detailed nursing care plan and management, please visit: Cardiogenic Shock Nursing Care Plans and Management

Marianne leads a double life, working as a staff nurse during the day and moonlighting as a writer for Nurseslabs at night. As an outpatient department nurse, she has honed her skills in delivering health education to her patients, making her a valuable resource and study guide writer for aspiring student nurses.

4 thoughts on “Cardiogenic Shock”

  1. Hi!
    I have a comment about the quiz at the end. The very last question says:
    “Which characteristic often distinguishes cardiogenic shock from hypovolemic shock?”

    the answer was narrow pulse pressure.

    However, if you refer to your hypovolemic shock article, it clearly states that hypovolemic shock “produces hypotension with narrowed pulse pressure.”

    What’s the right answer??

    Reply
    • In cardiogenic shock, the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to inadequate blood flow to vital organs. The decision to give fluids in cardiogenic shock depends on the specific clinical situation based on a thorough assessment of the patient’s condition. In some cases, such as when a patient with cardiogenic shock also has hypovolemia (low blood volume) or is experiencing low blood pressure, small amounts of intravenous (IV) fluids may be cautiously administered to help maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. It’s essential for nurses to carefully assess the patient’s hemodynamic status, monitor vital signs. Please check: Cardiogenic Shock Nursing Care Plans and Management for more information.

      Reply

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