CARDIOGENIC SHOCK

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening disorder in which your heart abruptly fails to pump enough blood to meet your body's demands. A severe heart attack typically causes the syndrome; however, not everyone who has a heart attack develops cardiogenic shock. Cardiogenic shock is a rare condition. It is often fatal if not treated immediately. When treated immediately, over half of those who develop the illness survive.

Symptoms

If you experience any of the following symptoms of a heart attack, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and reappears. Your chest could feel heavy, tight, full, or numb. You may experience pressure, ache, burning, or squeezing. The pain may feel like heartburn. In some people, particularly women, chest discomfort is not the primary symptom. Watch out for the other indicators listed below.

• Pain or discomfort in your upper body and/or down your left arm.

• Pain in the upper abdomen, throat, or jaw.

• Trouble breathing.

• Sweating or "cold sweats."

• Fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Feeling very weak, lightheaded, and/or anxious.

Other symptoms related to cardiogenic shock can include:

• Confusion or not being alert.

• Fainting.

• Very low blood pressure.

• Weak pulse.

• Trouble breathing.

• Peeing less than normal.

• Cool hands and feet.

• Pale skin.

• Feeling very tired.

• Swelling in your belly and legs.

• Poor appetite.

Causes

In most situations, a lack of oxygen to your heart caused by a heart attack destroys its primary pumping chamber (left ventricle). Without oxygen-rich blood going to that part of your heart, the muscle can weaken and fall into cardiogenic shock. Cardiogenic shock occurs in rare cases when your heart's right ventricle, which delivers blood to your lungs for oxygen, becomes damaged. Other probable causes of cardiogenic shock are:

• Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)

• Infection of the heart valves (endocarditis)

• Weakened heart from any cause

• Drug overdoses or poisoning with substances that can impair your heart's ability to pump

Diagnosis

Cardiogenic shock is typically diagnosed in an emergency scenario. After checking for shock symptoms, doctors will perform tests to identify the cause. Among the diagnostic procedures that may be carried out are blood pressure checks, electrocardiograms (ECG or EKG), chest X-rays, blood tests, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterisation (angiogram).

Treatment

Cardiogenic shock treatment aims to reduce the harm caused by a lack of oxygen in your heart muscle and other organs.

~ Emergency life support: Most persons with cardiogenic shock require additional oxygen. If necessary, you will be hooked up to a breathing machine (ventilator). You'll get drugs and fluids through an IV in your arm.

~ Medications

Fluids and plasma are supplied through an IV. Cardiogenic shock medicines are recommended to increase heart pumping performance and reduce the risk of blood clots.

• Vasopressors: These medications are prescribed to treat low blood pressure. They consist of dopamine, epinephrine (Adrenaline, Auvi-Q), norepinephrine (Levophed), and others.

• Inotropic agents: These medications, which aid in improving the heart's pumping function, may be used until other treatments begin to work. They include dobutamine, dopamine, and milrinone.

• Aspirin: Aspirin is typically used quickly to prevent blood clotting and keep blood flowing through a constricted artery. Take an aspirin on your own while waiting for help to arrive, only if your doctor has already instructed you to do so for heart attack symptoms.

• Antiplatelet medicine: Emergency department doctors may prescribe medicines comparable to aspirin to help prevent new clots from developing. The medications in question include clopidogrel (Plavix), tirofiban (Aggrastat), and eptifibatide (Integrilin).

• Other blood thinning medicines: You'll most likely be given additional medications, such as heparin, to reduce the likelihood of blood clots. Heparin, either IV or injectable, is typically used within the first several days following a heart attack.

Prevention

Several factors can raise your risk of developing heart disease, which can eventually progress to cardiogenic shock. Risk factors include:

• Avoid smoking and being exposed to secondhand smoke.

• Keep your weight in check.

• Reduce your intake of cholesterol and saturated fats.

• Use less salt.

• Reduce your sugar intake.

• Limit alcohol.

• Regularly practice exercise.

Conclusion

Cardiogenic shock is a dangerous and potentially fatal syndrome that requires immediate medical attention to prevent organ failure and death. Use methods such as percutaneous coronary intervention and medicine to stabilise the patient.

Long-term care includes lifestyle changes as well as monitoring and addressing underlying disorders. Despite the seriousness of cardiogenic shock, survival chances and results can be improved with prompt and efficient medical care.