Fifteen-Year Trends in Incidence of Cardiogenic Shock Hospitalization and In-Hospital Mortality in the United States

Clinical outcomes among cardiogenic shock patients supported with high-capacity Impella axial flow pumps: A report from the Cardiogenic Shock Working Group

BACKGROUND

The Impella 5.0 and 5.5 pumps (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) are large-bore transvalvular micro-axial assist devices used in cardiogenic shock (CS) for patients requiring high-capacity flow. Despite their increasing use, real-world data regarding indications, rates of utilization and clinical outcomes with this therapy are limited. The objective of our study was to examine clinical profiles and outcomes of patients in a contemporary, real-world CS registry of patients who received an Impella 5.0/5.5 alone or in combination with other temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) devices.

METHODS

The CS Working Group (CSWG) Registry includes patients from 34 US hospitals. For this analysis, data from patients who received an Impella 5.0/5.5 between 2020-2023 were analyzed. Use of Impella 5.0/5.5 with or without additional tMCS therapies, duration of support, adverse events and outcomes at hospital discharge were studied. Adverse events including stroke, limb ischemia, bleeding and hemolysis were not standardized by the registry but reported per individual CSWG Primary Investigator discretion. For those who survived, rates of native heart recovery (NHR) or heart replacement therapy (HRT) including heart transplant (HT), or durable ventricular assist device (VAD) were recorded. We also assessed outcomes based on shock etiology (acute myocardial infarction or MI-CS vs. heart failure-related CS or HF-CS).

RESULTS

Among 6,205 patients, 754 received an Impella 5.0/5.5 (12.1%), including 210 MI-CS (27.8%) and 484 HF-CS (64.1%) patients. Impella 5.0/5.5 was used as the sole tMCS device in 32% of patients, while 68% of patients received a combination of tMCS devices. Impella cannulation sites were available for 524/754 (69.4%) of patients, with 93.5% axillary configuration. Survival to hospital discharge for those supported with an Impella 5.0/5.5 was 67%, with 20.4% NHR and 45.5% HRT. Compared to HF-CS, patients with MI-CS supported on Impella 5.0/5.5 had higher in-hospital mortality (45.2% vs 26.2%, p < 0.001) and were less likely to receive HRT (22.4% vs 56.6%, p < 0.001. For patients receiving a combination of tMCS during hospitalization, this was associated with higher rates of limb ischemia (9% vs. 3%, p < 0.01), bleeding (52% vs 33%, p < 0.01), and mortality (38% vs 25%; p < 0.001) compared to Impella 5.0/5.5 alone. Among Impella 5.0/5.5 recipients, the median duration of pump support was 12.9 days (IQR: 6.8-22.9) and longer in patients bridged to HRT (14 days; IQR: 7.7-28.4).

CONCLUSIONS

In this multi-center cohort of patients with CS, use of Impella 5.0/5.5 was associated with an overall survival of 67.1% and high rates of HRT. Lower adverse event rates were observed when Impella 5.0/5.5 was the sole support device used. Further study is required to determine whether a strategy of early Impella 5.0/5.5 use for CS improves survival.

CONDENSED ABSTRACT

High capacity Impella heart pumps are capable of provide up to 5.5 liter/min of flow while upper body surgical placement allows for ambulation. Patients with advanced cardiogenic shock from acute myocardial infarction or heart failure requiring temporary mechanical circulatory support may benefit from upfront use of Impella 5.5 to improve overall survival, including native heart recovery or successful bridge to durable left ventricular assist device surgery or heart transplantation.

Cardiogenic shock in the context of acute coronary syndromes in Latin America ("LATIN Shock")

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a serious complication of heart attack and constitutes one of its main causes of death. To date, there is no data on its treatment and evolution in Latin America.

OBJECTIVES

To know the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, evolution and in-hospital mortality of CS in Latin America.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective, multicenter registry of patients hospitalized with CS in the context of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with and without ST segment elevation for 24 months.

RESULTS

41 Latin American centers participated incorporating patients during the period between October 2021 and September 2023. 278 patients were included. Age: 66 (59-75) years, 70.1 % men. 74.8 % of the cases correspond to ACS with ST elevation, 14.4 % to ACS without ST elevation, 5.7 % to right ventricular infarction and 5.1 % to mechanical complications. CS was present from admission in 60 % of cases. Revascularization: 81.3 %, inotropic use: 97.8 %, ARM: 52.5 %, Swan Ganz: 17 %, intra-aortic balloon pump: 22.2 %. Overall in-hospital mortality was 52.7 %, with no differences between ACS with or without ST.

CONCLUSIONS

Morbidity and mortality is very high despite the high reperfusion used.

Prehabilitation Maximizing Functional Mobility in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Supported on Axillary Impella

Physical therapy (PT) benefits for critically ill patients are well recognized; however, little data exist on PT in patients receiving temporary mechanical circulatory support. In this single-center retrospective study (February 2017-January 2022), we analyzed 37 patients who received an axillary Impella device (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) and PT to "prehabilitate" them before durable left ventricular assist device (dLVAD) implantation. The Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) Basic Mobility tool assessed the functional status at different points during admission. Immediately after Impella placement, the median AM-PAC score was 12.7 (interquartile range [IQR], 9-15), and the scores continued to significantly increase to 18.4 (IQR, 16-23) before dLVAD and up to 20.7 (IQR, 19-24) at discharge, indicating improved independence. No PT-related complications were reported. Thus, we hypothesize that critically ill patients initially deemed equivocal candidates may safely participate in PT while maximizing functional activities before dLVAD placement.

Sex differences in the presentation and outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: a critical review of contemporary data and a look towards future directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a devasting complicating of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), associated with significant mortality. Prior studies have reported sex differences in the presentation, management and outcomes of patients with AMI and CS. These differences are likely due to a variety of factors influencing therapeutic decision-making and impacting survival. This review highlights the more contemporary studies exploring differences in women and men with AMI-CS, providing a critical perspective towards understanding the factors that might lead to these differences and outlining potential opportunities to reduce disparities in treatment and improve survival for women with AMI-CS.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent reports demonstrate that women with AMI-CS are older than men and have more cardiovascular comorbidities. When examining an unselected population of patients with AMI-CS, women receive less aggressive treatment compared to men and have poorer outcomes. However, when examining a selected population of patients with AMI-CS treated with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and/or admitted to centers that implement CS protocols to manage AMI-CS, these sex-based differences in outcomes are largely mitigated.

SUMMARY

Standardizing protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with AMI-CS, with an emphasis on early revascularization and appropriate invasive therapies, can improve outcomes in women and narrow the gender gap.

US trends of in-hospital morbidity and mortality for acute myocardial infarctions complicated by cardiogenic shock

BACKGROUND

There is limited real-world data highlighting recent temporal in-hospital morbidity and mortality trends for cases of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. The role of mechanical circulatory support within this patient population remains unclear.

METHODS

The US National Inpatient Sample database was sampled from 2011 to 2018 identifying 206,396 hospitalizations with a primary admission diagnosis of ST- or Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. The primary outcomes included trends of all-cause in-hospital mortality, mechanical circulatory support use, and sex-specific trends for acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) over the study period.

RESULTS

The annual number of AMI-CS hospitalizations increased from 22,851 in 2011 to 30,015 in 2018 and in-hospital mortality trends remained similar (42.9 % to 43.7 %, ptrend < 0.001). The proportion of patients receiving any temporary MCS device decreased (46.4 % to 44.4 %). The use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) decreased (44.9 % to 32.9 %) and the use of any other non-IABP MCS device increased (2.5 % to 15.6 %), ptrend<0.001. Sex-specific mortality indicate female in-hospital mortality remained similar (50.3 % to 51 %, ptrend<0.001), but higher than male in-hospital mortality, which increased non-significantly (38.8 % to 40.2 %, ptrend = 0.372).

CONCLUSIONS

From 2011 to 2018, hospitalizations for AMI-CS patients have increased in number. However, there has been no recent appreciable change in AMI-CS mortality despite a changing treatment landscape with decreasing use of IABPs and increasing use of non-IABP MCS devices. Further research is necessary to examine the appropriate use of MCS devices within this population.

In-hospital and long-term outcomes of cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction versus heart failure

AIMS

This study sought to examine the difference in clinical characteristics, treatment strategy, trends in mortality, and medical costs according to the aetiologies of cardiogenic shock (CS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a population-based, nationwide, cohort study from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. All CS adults (≥18 years) were admitted to an intensive care unit from January 2010 to December 2020. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes were cardiac replacement therapy (left ventricular assisted device implantation or heart transplantation), all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke, rehospitalization for heart failure (HF) during follow-up, and actual in-hospital medical costs. Among 136 092 individuals with CS, 48 704 (29.7%) cases were due to acute myocardial infarction-related CS (AMI-CS), and the remaining 87 388 (71.3%) were due to HF-CS (ischaemic cardiomyopathy [ICM] vs. non-ICM, 49 504 [56.6%] vs. 37 884 [45.4%]). Patients with HF-CS were older, less likely to be male, and less likely to receive mechanical circulatory support, compared to those with AMI-CS. During the 10-year study period, the in-hospital mortality rate decreased, and actual medical costs tended to increase, regardless of CS aetiology. Compared with AMI-CS, HF-CS was associated with higher risks of in-hospital mortality (40.3% vs. 28.5%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-1.52), cardiac replacement therapy (adjusted OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.16-2.34), as well as follow-up mortality after successful discharge (19.3% vs. 8.5%; adjusted-hazard ratio 1.54, 95% CI 1.48-1.59). HF-CS had lower medical costs than AMI-CS (adjusted ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.79-0.80).

CONCLUSIONS

With medical advances during the past 10 years, the mortality of CS has decreased significantly, but the mortality of HF-CS remains high. The findings highlight the need for effective treatment strategies for patients with HF-CS.

Sex differences in treatments and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock: a systematic review and epidemiological meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Women are at higher risk of mortality from many acute cardiovascular conditions, but studies have demonstrated differing findings regarding the mortality of cardiogenic shock in women and men. To examine differences in 30-day mortality and mechanical circulatory support use by sex in patients with cardiogenic shock.

MAIN BODY

Cochrane Central, PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched in April 2024. Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials or observational studies, included adult patients with cardiogenic shock, and reported at least one of the following outcomes by sex: raw mortality, adjusted mortality (odds ratio) or use of mechanical circulatory support. Out of 4448 studies identified, 81 met inclusion criteria, pooling a total of 656,754 women and 1,018,036 men. In the unadjusted analysis for female sex and combined in-hospital and 30-day mortality, women had higher odds of mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-1.44, p < 0.001). Pooled unadjusted mortality was 35.9% in men and 40.8% in women (p < 0.001). When only studies reporting adjusted ORs were included, combined in-hospital/30-day mortality remained higher in women (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06-1.15, p < 0.001). These effects remained consistent across subgroups of acute myocardial infarction- and heart failure- related cardiogenic shock. Overall, women were less likely to receive mechanical support than men (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.57-0.79, p < 0.001); specifically, they were less likely to be treated with intra-aortic balloon pump (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.89, p < 0.001) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR = 0.84, 95% 0.71-0.99, p = 0.045). No significant difference was seen with use of percutaneous ventricular assist devices (OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.51-1.33, p = 0.42).

CONCLUSION

Even when adjusted for confounders, mortality for cardiogenic shock in women is approximately 10% higher than men. This effect is seen in both acute myocardial infarction and heart failure cardiogenic shock. Women with cardiogenic shock are less likely to be treated with mechanical circulatory support than men. Clinicians should make immediate efforts to ensure the prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment of cardiogenic shock in women.

Percutaneous Microaxial Ventricular Assist Device Versus Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump for Nonacute Myocardial Infarction Cardiogenic Shock

BACKGROUND

Evidence on the comparative outcomes following percutaneous microaxial ventricular assist devices (pVAD) versus intra-aortic balloon pump for nonacute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock is limited.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included 704 and 2140 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 to 99 years treated with pVAD and intra-aortic balloon pump, respectively, for nonacute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock from 2016 to 2020. Patients treated using pVAD compared with those treated using intra-aortic balloon pump were more likely to be concurrently treated with mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, and blood transfusions. We computed propensity scores for undergoing pVAD using patient- and hospital-level factors and performed a matching weight analysis. The use of pVAD was associated with higher 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.59-2.33]) but not associated with in-hospital bleeding (adjusted odds ratio, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.81-1.24]), stroke (adjusted odds ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.56-1.47]), sepsis (OR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.64-1.28]), and length of hospital stay (adjusted mean difference, +0.4 days [95% CI, -1.4 to +2.3]). A quasi-experimental instrumental variable analysis using the cross-sectional institutional practice preferences showed similar patterns, though not statistically significant (adjusted odds ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.28-6.89).

CONCLUSIONS

Our investigation using the national sample of Medicare beneficiaries showed that the use of pVAD compared with intra-aortic balloon pump was associated with higher mortality in patients with nonacute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock. Providers should be cautious about the use of pVAD for nonacute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock, while adequately powered high-quality randomized controlled trials are warranted to determine the clinical effects of pVAD.

Comparison of Contemporary Treatment Strategies in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Due to Severe Aortic Stenosis

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to understand the incidence and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) due to severe aortic stenosis (AS), and the impact of conventional treatment strategies in this population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

All patients admitted to the Cleveland Clinic cardiac intensive care unit between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2021 with CS were retrospectively identified and categorized into those with CS in the setting of severe AS versus CS without AS. The impact of various treatment strategies on mortality was further assessed. We identified 2754 patients with CS during the study period, of whom 216 patients (8%) had CS in the setting of severe AS. Medical management was associated with the highest 30-day mortality when compared with either balloon aortic valve replacement or aortic valve replacement (surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement) (hazard ratio, 3.69 [95% CI, 2.04-6.66]; P<0.0001). Among patients who received transcatheter therapy, 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients who received balloon aortic valvuloplasty versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement (26% versus 4%, P=0.02). Both surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement had considerably lower mortality than medical management and balloon aortic valvuloplasty at 30 days and 1 year (P<0.05 for both comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

CS due to severe AS is associated with high in-hospital and 30-day mortality, worse compared with those with CS without AS. In suitable patients, urgent surgical aortic valvuloplasty or transcatheter aortic valve replacement is associated with favorable short- and long-term outcomes. Although balloon aortic valvuloplasty may be used to temporize patients with CS in the setting of severe AS, mortality is ≈50% if not followed by definitive aortic valve replacement within 90 days.

Comparison of the prognosis among in-hospital survivors of cardiogenic shock based on etiology: AMI and Non-AMI

BACKGROUND

Current data on post-discharge mortality and rehospitalization is still insufficient among in-hospital survivors of cardiogenic shock (CS), including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and non-AMI survivors.

METHODS

Patients with CS who survived after hospital discharge were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Each patient was followed up at 3-year intervals. Mortality and rehospitalization were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models.

RESULTS

There were 16,582 eligible patients. Of these, 42.4% and 57.6% were AMI-CS and non-AMI-CS survivors, respectively. The overall mortality and rehospitalization rates were considerably high, with reports of 7.0% and 22.1% at 30 days, 24.5% and 58.2% at 1 year, and 38.9% and 73.0% at 3 years, respectively, among in-hospital CS survivors. Cardiovascular (CV) problems caused approximately 40% mortality and 60% rehospitalization. Overall, the non-AMI-CS group had a higher mortality burden than the AMI-CS group owing to older age and a higher prevalence of comorbidities. In multivariable models, the non-AMI-CS group exhibited a lower risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 0.78) and CV mortality (aHR 0.65, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.78) compared to the AMI-CS group. However, these risks diminished and even reversed after one year (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.25 for all-cause mortality; aHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.49 for CV mortality).This reversal was not observed in all-cause and CV rehospitalization. For rehospitalization, AMI-CS was associated with the risk of CV rehospitalization in the entire observation period (aHR:0.80, 95% CI:0.76-0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

In-hospital AMI-CS survivors had an increased risk of CV rehospitalization and 30-day mortality, whereas those with non-AMI-CS had a greater mortality risk after 1-year follow-up.

Comparison of Intraoperative Blood Product Use During Heart Transplantation in Patients Bridged with Impella 5.5 versus Durable Left Ventricular Assist Devices

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the intraoperative transfusion requirements differ based on the mechanical circulatory device used as a bridge to heart transplantation.

DESIGN

A single-center retrospective analysis of intraoperative transfusion requirements in all patients undergoing heart or heart/kidney transplantation between November 2018 and July 2021 who were bridged with a temporary (Impella 5.5) or durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

SETTING

A tertiary care hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-three adult patients bridged to heart or heart/kidney transplantation with a temporary or durable LVAD between 2018 and 2021 INTERVENTIONS: Recording of baseline characteristics and intraoperative transfusion requirements, including packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, autologous blood salvage, and platelets. The difference in cardiopulmonary bypass times, intensive care unit length of stay, and the vasoactive inotrope score following transplantation were also recorded.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was the volume of blood products transfused intraoperatively. Patients who underwent bridge to transplantation using the Impella 5.5 had statistically significant lower median transfusions of cryoprecipitate (155 mL versus 200 mL, p = 0.015), autologous blood salvage (675 mL versus 1,125 mL, p ≤ 0.01), and platelets (412 mL versus 675 mL, p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, there was a trend toward lower transfusion of intraoperative packed red blood cells (4.5 units versus 6.5 units, p = 0.29) and fresh frozen plasma (675 mL versus 800 mL, p = 0.11), but these were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest a reduction in certain intraoperative transfusion requirements in patients undergoing heart transplantation bridged with the Impella 5.5 versus durable left ventricular assist device.

EPidemiology Of Cardiogenic sHock in Scotland (EPOCHS): A multicentre, prospective observational study of the prevalence, management and outcomes of cardiogenic shock in Scotland

Background

Despite high rates of cardiovascular disease in Scotland, the prevalence and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock are unknown.

Methods

We undertook a prospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) or coronary care unit at 13 hospitals in Scotland for a 6-month period. Denominator data from the Scottish Intensive Care Society Audit Group were used to estimate ICU prevalence; data for coronary care units were unavailable. We undertook multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

Results

In total, 247 patients with cardiogenic shock were included. After exclusion of coronary care unit admissions, this comprised 3.0% of all ICU admissions during the study period (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6%-3.5%). Aetiology was acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 48%. The commonest vasoactive treatment was noradrenaline (56%) followed by adrenaline (46%) and dobutamine (40%). Mechanical circulatory support was used in 30%. Overall in-hospital mortality was 55%. After multivariable logistic regression, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06), admission lactate (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05-1.19), Society for Cardiovascular Angiographic Intervention stage D or E at presentation (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.10-4.29) and use of adrenaline (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.40-5.40) were associated with mortality.

Conclusions

In Scotland the prevalence of cardiogenic shock was 3% of all ICU admissions; more than half died prior to discharge. There was significant variation in treatment approaches, particularly with respect to vasoactive support strategy.

Healthcare and economic cost burden of emergency medical services treated non-traumatic shock using a population-based cohort in Victoria, Australia

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the healthcare costs and impact on the economy at large arising from emergency medical services (EMS) treated non-traumatic shock.

DESIGN

We conducted a population-based cohort study, where EMS-treated patients were individually linked to hospital-wide and state-wide administrative datasets. Direct healthcare costs (Australian dollars, AUD) were estimated for each element of care using a casemix funding method. The impact on productivity was assessed using a Markov state-transition model with a 3-year horizon.

SETTING

Patients older than 18 years of age with shock not related to trauma who received care by EMS (1 January 2015-30 June 2019) in Victoria, Australia were included in the analysis.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome assessed was the total healthcare expenditure. Secondary outcomes included healthcare expenditure stratified by shock aetiology, years of life lived (YLL), productivity-adjusted life-years (PALYs) and productivity losses.

RESULTS

A total of 21 334 patients (mean age 65.9 (±19.1) years, and 9641 (45.2%) females were treated by EMS with non-traumatic shock with an average healthcare-related cost of $A11 031 per episode of care and total cost of $A280 million. Annual costs remained stable throughout the study period, but average costs per episode of care increased (Ptrend=0.05). Among patients who survived to hospital, the average cost per episode of care was stratified by aetiology with cardiogenic shock costing $A24 382, $A21 254 for septic shock, $A19 915 for hypovolaemic shock and $A28 057 for obstructive shock. Modelling demonstrated that over a 3-year horizon the cohort lost 24 355 YLLs and 5059 PALYs. Lost human capital due to premature mortality led to productivity-related losses of $A374 million. When extrapolated to the entire Australian population, productivity losses approached $A1.5 billion ($A326 million annually).

CONCLUSION

The direct healthcare costs and indirect loss of productivity among patients with non-traumatic shock are high. Targeted public health measures that seek to reduce the incidence of shock and improve systems of care are needed to reduce the financial burden of this syndrome.

The management of heart failure cardiogenic shock: an international RAND appropriateness panel

BACKGROUND

Observational data suggest that the subset of patients with heart failure related CS (HF-CS) now predominate critical care admissions for CS. There are no dedicated HF-CS randomised control trials completed to date which reliably inform clinical practice or clinical guidelines. We sought to identify aspects of HF-CS care where both consensus and uncertainty may exist to guide clinical practice and future clinical trial design, with a specific focus on HF-CS due to acute decompensated chronic HF.

METHODS

A 16-person multi-disciplinary panel comprising of international experts was assembled. A modified RAND/University of California, Los Angeles, appropriateness methodology was used. A survey comprising of 34 statements was completed. Participants anonymously rated the appropriateness of each statement on a scale of 1 to 9 (1-3 as inappropriate, 4-6 as uncertain and as 7-9 appropriate).

RESULTS

Of the 34 statements, 20 were rated as appropriate and 14 were rated as inappropriate. Uncertainty existed across all three domains: the initial assessment and management of HF-CS; escalation to temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support (tMCS); and weaning from tMCS in HF-CS. Significant disagreement between experts (deemed present when the disagreement index exceeded 1) was only identified when deliberating the utility of thoracic ultrasound in the immediate management of HF-CS.

CONCLUSION

This study has highlighted several areas of practice where large-scale prospective registries and clinical trials in the HF-CS population are urgently needed to reliably inform clinical practice and the synthesis of future societal HF-CS guidelines.

Sex-related differences in patients presenting with heart failure-related cardiogenic shock

BACKGROUND

Heart failure-related cardiogenic shock (HF-CS) accounts for a significant proportion of all CS cases. Nevertheless, there is a lack of evidence on sex-related differences in HF-CS, especially regarding use of treatment and mortality risk in women vs. men. This study aimed to investigate potential differences in clinical presentation, use of treatments, and mortality between women and men with HF-CS.

METHODS

In this international observational study, patients with HF-CS (without acute myocardial infarction) from 16 tertiary-care centers in five countries were enrolled between 2010 and 2021. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to assess differences in clinical presentation, use of treatments, and 30-day mortality in women vs. men with HF-CS.

RESULTS

N = 1030 patients with HF-CS were analyzed, of whom 290 (28.2%) were women. Compared to men, women were more likely to be older, less likely to have a known history of heart failure or cardiovascular risk factors, and lower rates of highly depressed left ventricular ejection fraction and renal dysfunction. Nevertheless, CS severity as well as use of treatments were comparable, and female sex was not independently associated with 30-day mortality (53.0% vs. 50.8%; adjusted HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.75-1.19).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large HF-CS registry, sex disparities in risk factors and clinical presentation were observed. Despite these differences, the use of treatments was comparable, and both sexes exhibited similarly high mortality rates. Further research is necessary to evaluate if sex-tailored treatment, accounting for the differences in cardiovascular risk factors and clinical presentation, might improve outcomes in HF-CS.

Association between left ventricular ejection fraction, mortality and use of mechanical circulatory support in patients with non-ischaemic cardiogenic shock

BACKGROUND

Currently, use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in non-ischaemic cardiogenic shock (CS) is predominantly guided by shock-specific markers, and not by markers of cardiac function. We hypothesise that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) can identify patients with a higher likelihood to benefit from MCS and thus help to optimise their expected benefit.

METHODS

Patients with non-ischaemic CS and available data on LVEF from 16 tertiary-care centres in five countries were analysed. Cox regression models were fitted to evaluate the association between LVEF and mortality, as well as the interaction between LVEF, MCS use and mortality.

RESULTS

N = 807 patients were analysed: mean age 63 [interquartile range (IQR) 51.5-72.0] years, 601 (74.5%) male, lactate 4.9 (IQR 2.6-8.5) mmol/l, LVEF 20 (IQR 15-30) %. Lower LVEF was more frequent amongst patients with more severe CS, and MCS was more likely used in patients with lower LVEF. There was no association between LVEF and 30-day mortality risk in the overall study cohort. However, there was a significant interaction between MCS use and LVEF, indicating a lower 30-day mortality risk with MCS use in patients with LVEF ≤ 20% (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.51-1.02 for LVEF ≤ 20% vs. hazard ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval 0.85-2.01 for LVEF > 20%, interaction-p = 0.017).

CONCLUSION

This retrospective study may indicate a lower mortality risk with MCS use only in patients with severely reduced LVEF. This may propose the inclusion of LVEF as an adjunctive parameter for MCS decision-making in non-ischaemic CS, aiming to optimise the benefit-risk ratio.

Association between intensive care unit nursing grade and mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock and its cost-effectiveness

BACKGROUND

Despite the high workload of cardiac intensive care unit (ICU), there is a paucity of evidence on the association between nurse workforce and mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of the ICU nursing grade on mortality and cost-effectiveness in CS.

METHODS

A nationwide analysis was performed using the K-NHIS database. Patients diagnosed with CS and admitted to the ICU at tertiary hospitals were enrolled. ICU nursing grade was defined according to the bed-to-nurse ratio: grade1 (bed-to-nurse ratio < 0.5), grade2 (0.5 ≤ bed-to-nurse ratio < 0.63), and grade3 (0.63 ≤ bed-to-nurse ratio < 0.77) or above. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Cost-effective analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

Of the 72,950 patients with CS, 27,216 (37.3%) were in ICU nursing grade 1, 29,710 (40.7%) in grade 2, and 16,024 (22.0%) in grade ≥ 3. The adjusted-OR for in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with grade 2 (grade 1 vs. grade 2, 30.6% vs. 37.5%, adjusted-OR 1.14, 95% CI1.09-1.19) and grade ≥ 3 (40.6%) with an adjusted-OR of 1.29 (95% CI 1.23-1.36) than those with grade 1. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of grade1 compared with grade 2 and ≥ 3 was $25,047/year and $42,888/year for hospitalization and $5151/year and $5269/year for 1-year follow-up, suggesting that grade 1 was cost-effective. In subgroup analysis, the beneficial effects of the high-intensity nursing grade on mortality were more prominent in patients who received CPR or multiple vasopressors usage.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with CS, ICU grade 1 with a high-intensity nursing staff was associated with reduced mortality and more cost-effectiveness during hospitalization compared to grade 2 and grade ≥ 3, and its beneficial effects were more pronounced in subjects at high risk of CS.

Need for a Cardiogenic Shock Team Collaborative-Promoting a Team-Based Model of Care to Improve Outcomes and Identify Best Practices

Cardiogenic shock continues to carry a high mortality rate despite contemporary care, with no breakthrough therapies shown to improve survival over the past few decades. It is a time-sensitive condition that commonly results in cardiovascular complications and multisystem organ failure, necessitating multidisciplinary expertise. Managing patients with cardiogenic shock remains challenging even in well-resourced settings, and an important subgroup of patients may require cardiac replacement therapy. As a result, the idea of leveraging the collective cognitive and procedural proficiencies of multiple providers in a collaborative, team-based approach to care (the "shock team") has been advocated by professional societies and implemented at select high-volume clinical centers. A slowly maturing evidence base has suggested that cardiogenic shock teams may improve patient outcomes. Although several registries exist that are beginning to inform care, particularly around therapeutic strategies of pharmacologic and mechanical circulatory support, none of these are currently focused on the shock team approach, multispecialty partnership, education, or process improvement. We propose the creation of a Cardiogenic Shock Team Collaborative-akin to the successful Pulmonary Embolism Response Team Consortium-with a goal to promote sharing of care protocols, education of stakeholders, and discovery of how process and performance may influence patient outcomes, quality, resource consumption, and costs of care.

Contemporary approach to cardiogenic shock care: a state-of-the-art review

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a time-sensitive and hemodynamically complex syndrome with a broad spectrum of etiologies and clinical presentations. Despite contemporary therapies, CS continues to maintain high morbidity and mortality ranging from 35 to 50%. More recently, burgeoning observational research in this field aimed at enhancing the early recognition and characterization of the shock state through standardized team-based protocols, comprehensive hemodynamic profiling, and tailored and selective utilization of temporary mechanical circulatory support devices has been associated with improved outcomes. In this narrative review, we discuss the pathophysiology of CS, novel phenotypes, evolving definitions and staging systems, currently available pharmacologic and device-based therapies, standardized, team-based management protocols, and regionalized systems-of-care aimed at improving shock outcomes. We also explore opportunities for fertile investigation through randomized and non-randomized studies to address the prevailing knowledge gaps that will be critical to improving long-term outcomes.

The impact of ECPELLA on haemodynamics and global oxygen delivery: a comprehensive simulation of biventricular failure

BACKGROUND

ECPELLA, a combination of veno-arterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and Impella, a percutaneous left ventricular (LV) assist device, has emerged as a novel therapeutic option in patients with severe cardiogenic shock (CS). Since multiple cardiovascular and pump factors influence the haemodynamic effects of ECPELLA, optimising ECPELLA management remains challenging. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive simulation study of ECPELLA haemodynamics. We also simulated global oxygen delivery (DO2) under ECPELLA in severe CS and acute respiratory failure as a first step to incorporate global DO2 into our developed cardiovascular simulation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Both the systemic and pulmonary circulations were modelled using a 5-element resistance‒capacitance network. The four ventricles were represented by time-varying elastances with unidirectional valves. In the scenarios of severe LV dysfunction, biventricular dysfunction with normal pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR, 0.8 Wood units), and biventricular dysfunction with high PVR (6.0 Wood units), we compared the changes in haemodynamics, pressure-volume relationship (PV loop), and global DO2 under different VA-ECMO flows and Impella support levels.

RESULTS

In the simulation, ECPELLA improved total systemic flow with a minimising biventricular pressure-volume loop, indicating biventricular unloading in normal PVR conditions. Meanwhile, increased Impella support level in high PVR conditions rendered the LV-PV loop smaller and induced LV suction in ECPELLA support conditions. The general trend of global DO2 was followed by the changes in total systemic flow. The addition of veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO) augmented the global DO2 increment under ECPELLA total support conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal ECPELLA support increased total systemic flow and achieved both biventricular unloading. The VV-ECMO effectively improves global DO2 in total ECPELLA support conditions.

Timing of Initiation of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support and Outcomes Among Patients With Cardiogenic Shock

BACKGROUND

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides full hemodynamic support for patients with cardiogenic shock, but optimal timing of ECMO initiation remains uncertain. We sought to determine whether earlier initiation of ECMO is associated with improved survival in cardiogenic shock.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed adult patients with cardiogenic shock who received venoarterial ECMO from the international Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry from 2009 to 2019, excluding those cannulated following an operation. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association between time from admission to ECMO initiation and in-hospital death. Among 8619 patients (median, 56.7 [range, 44.8-65.6] years; 33.5% women), the median duration from admission to ECMO initiation was 14 (5-32) hours. Patients who had ECMO initiated within 24 hours (n=5882 [68.2%]) differed from those who had ECMO initiated after 24 hours, with younger age, more preceding cardiac arrest, and worse acidosis. After multivariable adjustment, patients with ECMO initiated >24 hours after admission had higher risk of in-hospital death (adjusted odds ratio, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.06-1.36]; P=0.004). Each 12-hour increase in the time from admission to ECMO initiation was incrementally associated with higher adjusted in-hospital mortality rate (adjusted odds ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.03-1.10]; P<0.001). The association between longer time to ECMO and worse outcomes appeared stronger in patients with lower shock severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer delays from admission to ECMO initiation were associated with higher a mortality rate in a large-scale, international registry. Our analysis supports optimization of door-to-support time and the avoidance of inappropriately delayed ECMO initiation.

Mechanical circulatory support for cardiogenic shock: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and propensity score-matched studies

PURPOSE

Cardiogenic shock is associated with high mortality. In refractory shock, it is unclear if mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices improve survival. We conducted a network meta-analysis to determine which MCS devices confers greatest benefit.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases through 27 August 2023 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity score-matched studies (PSMs). We conducted frequentist network meta-analysis, investigating mortality (either 30 days or in-hospital) as the primary outcome. We assessed risk of bias (Cochrane risk of bias 2.0 tool/Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) and as sensitivity analysis reconstructed survival data from published survival curves for a one-stage unadjusted individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis using a stratified Cox model.

RESULTS

We included 38 studies (48,749 patients), mostly reporting on patients with Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention shock stages C-E cardiogenic shock. Compared with no MCS, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with intra-aortic balloon pump (ECMO-IABP; network odds ratio [OR]: 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33-0.86, moderate certainty) was associated with lower mortality. There were no differences in mortality between ECMO, IABP, microaxial ventricular assist device (mVAD), ECMO-mVAD, centrifugal VAD, or mVAD-IABP and no MCS (all very low certainty). Our one-stage IPD survival meta-analysis based on the stratified Cox model found only ECMO-IABP was associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio, HR, 0.55, 95% CI 0.46-0.66).

CONCLUSION

In patients with cardiogenic shock, ECMO-IABP may reduce mortality, while other MCS devices did not reduce mortality. However, this must be interpreted within the context of inter-study heterogeneity and limited certainty of evidence.

Heart failure related cardiogenic shock: An ISHLT consensus conference content summary

In recent years, there have been significant advancements in the understanding, risk-stratification, and treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS). Despite improved pharmacologic and device-based therapies for CS, short-term mortality remains as high as 50%. Most recent efforts in research have focused on CS related to acute myocardial infarction, even though heart failure related CS (HF-CS) accounts for >50% of CS cases. There is a paucity of high-quality evidence to support standardized clinical practices in approach to HF-CS. In addition, there is an unmet need to identify disease-specific diagnostic and risk-stratification strategies upon admission, which might ultimately guide the choice of therapies, and thereby improve outcomes and optimize resource allocation. The heterogeneity in defining CS, patient phenotypes, treatment goals and therapies has resulted in difficulty comparing published reports and standardized treatment algorithms. An International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) consensus conference was organized to better define, diagnose, and manage HF-CS. There were 54 participants (advanced heart failure and interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, critical care cardiologists, intensivists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals), with vast clinical and published experience in CS, representing 42 centers worldwide. State-of-the-art HF-CS presentations occurred with subsequent breakout sessions planned in an attempt to reach consensus on various issues, including but not limited to models of CS care delivery, patient presentations in HF-CS, and strategies in HF-CS management. This consensus report summarizes the contemporary literature review on HF-CS presented in the first half of the conference (part 1), while the accompanying document (part 2) covers the breakout sessions where the previously agreed upon clinical issues were discussed with an aim to get to a consensus.

Clinical presentation, shock severity and mortality in patients with de novo versus acute-on-chronic heart failure-related cardiogenic shock

AIMS

Heart failure-related cardiogenic shock (HF-CS) accounts for a significant proportion of CS cases. Whether patients with de novo HF and those with acute-on-chronic HF in CS differ in clinical characteristics and outcome remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in clinical presentation and mortality between patients with de novo and acute-on-chronic HF-CS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this international observational study, patients with HF-CS from 16 tertiary care centres in five countries were enrolled between 2010 and 2021. To investigate differences in clinical presentation and 30-day mortality, adjusted logistic/Cox regression models were fitted. Patients (n = 1030) with HF-CS were analysed, of whom 486 (47.2%) presented with de novo HF-CS and 544 (52.8%) with acute-on-chronic HF-CS. Traditional markers of CS severity (e.g. blood pressure, heart rate and lactate) as well as use of treatments were comparable between groups. However, patients with acute-on-chronic HF-CS were more likely to have a higher CS severity and also a higher mortality risk, after adjusting for relevant confounders (de novo HF 45.5%, acute-on-chronic HF 55.9%, adjusted hazard ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.72, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

In this large HF-CS cohort, acute-on-chronic HF-CS was associated with more severe CS and higher mortality risk compared to de novo HF-CS, although traditional markers of CS severity and use of treatments were comparable. These findings highlight the vast heterogeneity of patients with HF-CS, emphasize that HF chronicity is a relevant disease modifier in CS, and indicate that future clinical trials should account for this.

In-hospital outcomes in unhoused patients with cardiogenic shock in the United States: Insights from The National Inpatient Sample 2011-2019

BACKGROUND

Unhoused patients face significant barriers to receiving health care in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. For unhoused patients with heart failure who are in extremis, there is a lack of data regarding in-hospital outcomes and resource utilization in the setting of cardiogenic shock (CS).

HYPOTHESIS

Unhoused patients hospitalized with CS have increased mortality and decreased use of invasive therapies as compared to housed patients.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried from 2011 to 2019 for relevant ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes to identify unhoused patients with an admission diagnosis of CS. Baseline characteristics and in-hospital outcomes between patients were compared. Binary logistic regression was used to adjust outcomes for prespecified and significantly different baseline characteristics (p < .05).

RESULTS

We identified a weighted sample of 1 202 583 adult CS hospitalizations, of whom 4510 were unhoused (0.38%). There was no significant difference in the comorbidity adjusted odds of mortality between groups. Unhoused patients had lower odds of receiving mechanical circulatory support, left heart catheterization, percutaneous coronary intervention, or pulmonary artery catheterization. Unhoused patients had higher adjusted odds of infectious complications, undergoing intubation, or requiring restraints.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that, despite having fewer traditional comorbidities, unhoused patients have similar mortality and less access to more aggressive care than housed patients. Unhoused patients may experience under-diuresis, or more conservative care strategies, as evidenced by the higher intubation rate in this population. Further studies are needed to elucidate long-term outcomes and investigate systemic methods to ameliorate barriers to care in unhoused populations.

Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Sepsis-Associated Cardiogenic Shock With and Without Acute Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVES

To describe the current use and outcomes of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in patients with sepsis-associated cardiogenic shocks with and without acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the United States.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The National Inpatient Sample database from 2017 to 2019.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients with sepsis-associated cardiogenic shock with and without AMI.

INTERVENTIONS

Temporary MCSs, including intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), percutaneous left ventricular assist device (pLVAD), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusting for patient characteristics, organ failures, and socioeconomic status. Although the uses of IABP and pLVAD were associated with significantly lower odds of in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis-associated cardiogenic shock (IABP: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.57, 95% CI 0.44-0.73, p < .001; pLVAD: aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.45-0.98, p = .037), ECMO was not (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 0.93-2.45, p = 0.096). In the subgroup with AMI, temporary MCSs were not associated with significantly lower or higher odds of in-hospital mortality. In the subgroup without AMI, IABP was associated with significantly lower odds of in-hospital mortality (aOR 0.43, 95% CI 0.28-0.65, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although temporary MCS is deemed to be a feasible option in sepsis-associated cardiogenic shock, the selection of the right patients whose shock is driven mainly by cardiogenic shock rather than septic shock, as represented by low cardiac output and high systemic vascular resistance, plays a critical role in the feasibility of this approach in the absence of clinical trials.

Platelet Count During Course of Cardiogenic Shock

The study investigates the prognostic value of the platelet count in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). Limited data regarding the prognostic value of platelets in patients suffering from CS is available. Consecutive patients with CS from 2019 to 2021 were included at one institution. Firstly, the prognostic value of the baseline platelet count was tested for 30-day all-cause mortality. Thereafter, the prognostic impact of platelet decline during course of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization was assessed. A total of 249 CS patients were included with a median platelet count of 224 × 10 6 /ml. No association of the baseline platelet count with the risk of 30-day all-cause mortality was found (log-rank p = 0.563; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.879; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.557-1.387; p = 0.579). In contrast, a decrease of platelet count by ≥ 25% from day 1 to day 3 was associated with an increased risk of 30-day all-cause mortality (55% vs. 39%; log-rank p = 0.045; HR = 1.585; 95% CI 0.996-2.521; p = 0.052), which was still evident after multivariable adjustment (HR = 1.951; 95% CI 1.116-3.412; p = 0.019). Platelet decrease during the course of ICU hospitalization but not the baseline platelet count was associated with an increased risk of 30-day all-cause mortality in CS patients.

Cardiogenic Shock: Pathogenesis, Classification, and Management

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a life-threatening circulatory failure syndrome which can progress rapidly to irreversible multiorgan failure through self-perpetuating pathophysiological processes. Recent developments in CS classification have highlighted its etiologic, mechanistic, and hemodynamic heterogeneity. Optimal CS management depends on early recognition, rapid reversal of the underlying cause, and prompt initiation of hemodynamic support.

Shock Teams: A Contemporary Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a time-sensitive and often fatal condition. To address this issue, many centers have developed multidisciplinary shock teams with a common goal of expediting the recognition and treatment of CS. In this review, we examine the mission, structure, implementation, and outcomes reported by these early shock teams.

RECENT FINDINGS

To date, there have been four observational shock team analyses, each providing unique insight into the utility of the shock team. The limited available data supports that shock teams are associated with improved CS mortality. However, there is considerable operational heterogeneity among shock teams, and randomized data assessing their value and best practices in both local and regional care models are needed.

Variation in Hemodynamic Assessment and Interpretation: A Call to Standardize the Right Heart Catheterization

BACKGROUND

Invasive hemodynamic measurement via right heart catheterization has shown divergent data in its role in the treatment of patients with heart failure (HF) and cardiogenic shock. We hypothesized that variation in data acquisition technique and interpretation might contribute to these observations. We sought to assess differences in hemodynamic acquisition and interpretation by operator subspecialty as well as level of experience.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Individual-level responses to how physicians both collect and interpret hemodynamic data at the time of right heart catheterization was solicited via a survey distributed to international professional societies in HF and interventional cardiology. Data were stratified both by operator subspecialty (HF specialists or interventional cardiologists [IC]) and operator experience (early career [≤10 years from training] or late career [>10 years from training]) to determine variations in clinical practice. For the sensitivity analysis, we also look at differences in each subgroup. A total of 261 responses were received. There were 141 clinicians (52%) who self-identified as HF specialists, 99 (38%) identified as IC, and 20 (8%) identified as other. There were 142 early career providers (54%) and late career providers (119 [46%]). When recording hemodynamic values, there was considerable variation in practice patterns, regardless of subspecialty or level of experience for the majority of the intracardiac variables. There was no agreement or mild agreement among HF and IC as to when to record right atrial pressures or pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. HF cardiologists were more likely to routinely measure both Fick and thermodilution cardiac output compared with IC (51% vs 29%, P < .001), something mirrored in early career vs later career cardiologists.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant variation exists between the acquisition and interpretation of right heart catheterization measurements between HF and IC, as well as those early and late in their careers. With the growth of the heart team approach to management of patients in cardiogenic shock, standardization of both assessment and management practices is needed.

A goal-oriented hemodynamic approach to acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock-A single center experience

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) is the most common cause of mortality following AMI, and treatment algorithms vary widely. We report the results of an analysis using time-sensitive, hemodynamic goals in the treatment of AMI-CS in a single center study.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with AMI-CS from November 2016 through December 2021 were included in our retrospective analysis. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed using the electronic medical records. We identified 63 total patients who were admitted to our center with AMI-CS, and we excluded patients who did not have clear timing of AMI onset or CS onset. We evaluated the rate of survival to hospital discharge based on the quantity of certain time-sensitive hemodynamic goals were met.

RESULTS

We identified 63 patients who met criteria for AMI-CS, 39 (62%) of whom survived to hospital discharge. Odds of survival were closely related to the achievement of four time-dependent goals: cardiac power output (CPO) >0.6 Watts (W), pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) >1, lactate <4 mmol/L, and <2 vasopressors required. Of the 63 total patients, 36 (57%) received intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and 18 (29%) received an Impella CP (Abiomed) as an initial mechanical circulatory support strategy. Six patients were escalated from IABP to Impella CP for additional hemodynamic support. Nine patients were treated with vasopressors/inotropes alone. Regarding the 39 patients who survived to hospital discharge, 75% of patients met 3 or 4 goals at 24 h, whereas only 16% of deceased patients met 3 or 4 goals at 24 h. Of the 24 patients who did not survive to hospital discharge, 18 (75%) met either 0-1 goal at 24 h. There was no effect of the initial treatment strategy on achieving 3-4 goals at 24 h.

CONCLUSION

Our study evaluated the association of meeting 4 time-sensitive goals (CPO >0.6 W, PAPi >1, <2 vasopressors, and lactate <4 mmol/L) at 24 h after treatment for AMI-CS with in-hospital mortality. Our data show, in line with previous data, that the higher number of goals met at 24 h was associated with improved in-hospital mortality regardless of treatment strategy.

Clinical impact of pulmonary artery catheter in patients with cardiogenic shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The clinical utility of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) for the management of cardiogenic shock (CS) remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the association between PAC use and mortality among patients with CS.

METHODS

Published studies of patients with CS treated with or without PAC hemodynamic guidance were retrieved from MEDLINE and PubMed databases from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021. The primary outcome was mortality, which was defined as a combination of in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes assessed 30-day and in-hospital mortality separately. To assess the quality of nonrandomized studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), a well-established scoring system was used. We analyzed outcomes for each study using NOS with a threshold value of >6, indicating high quality. We also performed analyses based on the countries of the studies conducted.

RESULTS

Six studies with a total of 930,530 patients with CS were analyzed. Of these, 85,769 patients were in the PAC-treated group, and 844,761 patients did not receive a PAC. PAC use was associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality (PAC: 4.6 % to 41.5 % vs control: 18.8 % to 51.0 %) (OR 0.63, 95 % CI: 0.41-0.97, I2 = 0.96). Subgroup analyses demonstrated no difference in the risk of mortality between NOS ≥ 6 studies and NOS < 6 studies (p-interaction = 0.57), 30-day and in-hospital mortality (p-interaction = 0.83), or the country of origin of studies (p-interaction = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of PAC in patients with CS may be associated with decreased mortality. These data support the need for a randomized controlled trial testing the utility of PAC use in CS.

Temporal trends of post-contrast acute kidney injury in patients with intravenous administration of iodinated contrast medium

Little is known about whether preventative practices for post-contrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) recommended in guidelines have been adopted in clinical practice and translated into a lower incidence of PC-AKI. The aim of this study was to examine the yearly trends in the incidence of PC-AKI, and comorbidities and care practices associated with PC-AKI in hospitalized patients who received intravenous administration of iodinated contrast medium (ICM). Adult patients receiving intravenous ICM at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in China between 2015 and 2021 were included. Temporal trends in the incidence and risk factors for PC-AKI were evaluated using logistic regression analyses with adjustments for relevant variables. The incidence of PC-AKI has declined significantly from 5.3% in 2015 to 4.1% in 2021 (p < 0.001). This decreasing trend persisted after extensive multivariable adjustments. Of the comorbidities associated with PC-AKI, the proportion of patients with congestive heart failure or hypertension increased, while the proportion of patients older than 75 years, or with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, diabetic nephropathy, or renal stone disease decreased. Among the care practices associated with PC-AKI, the proportion of patients using nephrotoxic drugs decreased, whereas the proportion of patients receiving intravenous fluids > 1000 mL on the day of ICM administration or using iso-osmolar ICM increased. In conclusion, a declining trend in PC-AKI incidence was observed in patients receiving intravenous ICM between 2015 and 2021, which may be related to increased awareness and efforts to prevent PC-AKI.

Trends in Mechanical Circulatory Support Use and Outcomes of Patients With Cardiogenic Shock in Japan, 2010 to 2020 (from a Nationwide Inpatient Database Study)

Little is known about the impact of the downgrade of guideline recommendations for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use and the approval of the Impella in Japan, where IABPs have been predominantly used. This study aimed to describe the annual trends in the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) use and outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) requiring MCS. Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database from July 2010 to March 2021, we identified inpatients with CS requiring MCS. The patients were stratified into 3 groups: (1) IABP alone, (2) Impella alone, and (3) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), regardless of IABP or Impella use. The patient characteristics and outcomes were reported by the fiscal year. Of the 160,559 eligible patients, 117,599 (73.2%) used IABP alone, 1,465 (0.9%) Impella alone, and 41,495 (25.8%) ECMO. The prevalence of the use of an IABP alone significantly decreased from 80.5% in 2010 to 65.3% in 2020 (p for trend <0.001), whereas the prevalence of the use of an Impella alone significantly increased from 0.0% to 5.0% and ECMO from 19.5% to 29.6% (p for trend <0.001 for both). In-hospital mortality significantly increased from 29.3% in 2010 to 32.6% in 2020 in the overall patients with CS requiring MCS but significantly decreased in those requiring ECMO from 73.7% to 64.1% (p for trend <0.001 for both). In conclusion, there were significant annual changes in the patterns of MCS use and clinical outcomes in patients with CS requiring MCS.

Safety and Outcomes of Peripherally Administered Vasopressor Infusion in Patients Admitted with Shock to an Intensive Cardiac Care Unit-A Single-Center Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Vasopressors are frequently utilized for blood pressure stabilization in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS), although with a questionable benefit. Obtaining central venous access is time consuming and may be associated with serious complications. Hence, we thought to evaluate whether the administration of vasopressors through a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) is a safe and effective alternative for the management of patients with CS presenting to the intensive cardiovascular care unit (ICCU).

METHODS

A prospective single-center study was conducted to compare the safety and outcomes of vasopressors administered via a PVC vs. a central venous catheter (CVC) in patients presenting with CS over a 12-month period.

RESULTS

A total of 1100 patients were included; of them, 139 (12.6%) required a vasopressor treatment due to shock, with 108 (78%) treated via a PVC and 31 (22%) treated via a CVC according to the discretion of the treating physician. The duration of the vasopressor administration was shorter in the PVC group compared with the CVC group (2.5 days vs. 4.2 days, respectively, p < 0.05). Phlebitis and the extravasation of vasopressors occurred at similar rates in the PVC and CVC groups (5.7% vs. 3.3%, respectively, p = 0.33; 0.9% vs. 3.3%, respectively, p = 0.17). Nevertheless, the bleeding rate was higher in the CVC group compared with the PVC group (3% vs. 0%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of vasopressor infusions via PVC for the management of patients with CS is feasible and safe in patients with cardiogenic shock. Further studies are needed to establish this method of treatment.

Advances in the Management of Cardiogenic Shock

OBJECTIVES

To review a contemporary approach to the management of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS).

DATA SOURCES

We reviewed salient medical literature regarding CS.

STUDY SELECTION

We included professional society scientific statements and clinical studies examining outcomes in patients with CS, with a focus on randomized clinical trials.

DATA EXTRACTION

We extracted salient study results and scientific statement recommendations regarding the management of CS.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Professional society recommendations were integrated with evaluated studies.

CONCLUSIONS

CS results in short-term mortality exceeding 30% despite standard therapy. While acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been the focus of most CS research, heart failure-related CS now predominates at many centers. CS can present with a wide spectrum of shock severity, including patients who are normotensive despite ongoing hypoperfusion. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention Shock Classification categorizes patients with or at risk of CS according to shock severity, which predicts mortality. The CS population includes a heterogeneous mix of phenotypes defined by ventricular function, hemodynamic profile, biomarkers, and other clinical variables. Integrating the shock severity and CS phenotype with nonmodifiable risk factors for mortality can guide clinical decision-making and prognostication. Identifying and treating the cause of CS is crucial for success, including early culprit vessel revascularization for AMI. Vasopressors and inotropes titrated to restore arterial pressure and perfusion are the cornerstone of initial medical therapy for CS. Temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is indicated for appropriately selected patients as a bridge to recovery, decision, durable MCS, or heart transplant. Randomized controlled trials have not demonstrated better survival with the routine use of temporary MCS in patients with CS. Accordingly, a multidisciplinary team-based approach should be used to tailor the type of hemodynamic support to each individual CS patient's needs based on shock severity, phenotype, and exit strategy.

State of Shock: Contemporary Vasopressor and Inotrope Use in Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiogenic shock is characterized by tissue hypoxia caused by circulatory failure arising from inadequate cardiac output. In addition to treating the pathologic process causing impaired cardiac function, prompt hemodynamic support is essential to reduce the risk of developing multiorgan dysfunction and to preserve cellular metabolism. Pharmacologic therapy with the use of vasopressors and inotropes is a key component of this treatment strategy, improving perfusion by increasing cardiac output, altering systemic vascular resistance, or both, while allowing time and hemodynamic stability to treat the underlying disease process implicated in the development of cardiogenic shock. Despite the use of mechanical circulatory support recently garnering significant interest, pharmacologic hemodynamic support remains a cornerstone of cardiogenic shock management, with over 90% of patients receiving at least 1 vasoactive agent. This review aims to describe the pharmacology and hemodynamic effects of current pharmacotherapies and provide a practical approach to their use, while highlighting important future research directions.

Trends and Outcomes of Cardiogenic Shock in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: Insights From USRDS Database

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data regarding epidemiology, temporal trends, and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) and end-stage renal disease (chronic kidney disease stage V on hemodialysis).

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study using the United States Renal Data System database from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2019. We analyzed trends of CS, percutaneous mechanical support (intraaortic balloon pump, percutaneous ventricular assist device [Impella and Tandemheart], and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) utilization, index mortality, 30-day mortality, and 1-year all-cause mortality in end-stage renal disease patients.

RESULTS

A total of 43 825 end-stage renal disease patients were hospitalized with CS (median age, 67.8 years [IQR, 59.4-75.8] and 59.1% men). From 2006 to 2019, the incidence of CS increased from 275 to 578 per 100 000 patients (Ptrend<0.001). The index mortality rate declined from 54.1% in 2006 to 40.8% in 2019 (Ptrend=0.44), and the 1-year all-cause mortality decreased from 63% in 2006 to 61.8% in 2018 (Ptrend=0.73), but neither trend was statistically significant. There was a significantly decreased utilization of intra-aortic balloon pumps from 17 832 to 7992 (Ptrend<0.001), increased utilization of percutaneous ventricular assist device from 137 to 5201 (Ptrend<0.001) and increase in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use from 69 to 904 per 100 000 patients (Ptrend<0.001). After adjusting for covariates, there was no significant difference in index mortality between CS patients requiring percutaneous mechanical support versus those not requiring percutaneous mechanical support (odds ratio, 0.97 [CI, 0.91-1.02]; P=0.22). On multivariable regression analysis, older age, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, and time on dialysis were independent predictors of higher index mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of CS in end-stage renal disease patients has doubled without significant change in the trend of index mortality despite the use of percutaneous mechanical support.

Trends in Cardiogenic Shock-Related Mortality in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States, 1999 to 2019

Data on mortality trends in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with cardiogenic shock (CS) are scant. This study aimed to assess the trends in CS-AMI-related mortality in United States (US) subjects over the latest 21 years. Mortality data of US subjects with AMI listed as the underlying cause of death and CS as contributing cause were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER (Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) dataset from January 1999 to December 2019. CS-AMI-related age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 US population were stratified by gender, race and ethnicity, geographic areas, and urbanicity. Nationwide annual trends were assessed as annual percent change (APC) and average APC with relative 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Between 1999 and 2019, CS-AMI was listed as the underlying cause of death in 209,642 patients, (AAMR of 3.01 per 100,000 people [95% CI 2.99 to 3.02]). AAMR from CS-AMI remained stable from 1999 to 2007 (APC -0.2%, [95% CI -2.0 to 0.5], p = 0.22) and then significantly increased (APC 3.1% [95% CI 2.6 to 3.6], p <0.0001), especially in male patients. Starting in 2009, the AAMR increase was more pronounced in those <65 years, Black Americans, and residents of rural areas. The higher AAMRs were clustered in the South (average APC 4.5%, [95% CI 4.4 to 4.6]) of the country. In conclusion, CS-AMI-related mortality in US patients increased from 2009 to 2019. Targeted health policy measures are needed to address the rising burden of CS-AMI in US subjects.

Impella devices: a comprehensive review of their development, use, and impact on cardiogenic shock and high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention

INTRODUCTION

Impella devices have emerged as a critical tool for temporary mechanical circulatory support (TMCS) in the management of cardiogenic shock (CS) and high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The purpose of this review is to examine the history of the different Impella devices, their hemodynamic profiles, and how the data supports their use.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the development and specifications of the Impella 2.5, Impella CP, Impella 5.0/Left Direct (LD), Impella RP, and Impella 5.5 devices. This review also covers the clinical trials that illuminate the Impella devices' use in their appropriate clinical contexts. These studies examine the effectiveness of Impella devices and have begun to yield promising results, demonstrating improved survival rates when compared to the historically high mortality rates associated with CS. It is important to weigh the benefits of Impella devices in light of their contraindications. A literature search was conducted by searching the PubMed database for reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials pertinent to Impella devices.

EXPERT OPINION

Impella devices are a crucial tool for management of patients undergoing high-risk PCI and those with CS. There is evidence that early Impella implantation is beneficial in the treatment of patients presenting with CS. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to better elucidate the benefits of Impella devices in various clinical settings.

Preclinical Studies on Pulsatile Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review

Refractory cardiogenic shock is increasingly being treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO), without definitive proof of improved clinical outcomes. Recently, pulsatile V-A ECMO has been developed to address some of the shortcomings of contemporary continuous-flow devices. To describe current pulsatile V-A ECMO studies, we conducted a systematic review of all preclinical studies in this area. We adhered to PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines for conducting systematic reviews. The literature search was performed using Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases. All preclinical experimental studies investigating pulsatile V-A ECMO and published before July 26, 2022 were included. We extracted data relating to the 1) ECMO circuits, 2) pulsatile blood flow conditions, 3) key study outcomes, and 4) other relevant experimental conditions. Forty-five manuscripts of pulsatile V-A ECMO were included in this review detailing 26 in vitro , two in silico , and 17 in vivo experiments. Hemodynamic energy production was the most investigated outcome (69%). A total of 53% of studies used a diagonal pump to achieve pulsatile flow. Most literature on pulsatile V-A ECMO focuses on hemodynamic energy production, whereas its potential clinical effects such as favorable heart and brain function, end-organ microcirculation, and decreased inflammation remain inconclusive and limited.

The role of temporary mechanical circulatory support in de novo heart failure syndromes with cardiogenic shock: A contemporary review

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex clinical syndrome with a high mortality rate. It can occur to due to multiple etiologies of cardiovascular disease and is phenotypically heterogeneous. Acute myocardial infarction-related CS (AMI-CS) has historically been the most prevalent cause, and thus, research and guidance have focused primarily on this. Recent data suggest that the burden of non-ischemic CS is increasing in the population of patents requiring intensive care admission. There is, however, a paucity of data and guidelines to inform the management of these patients who fall into two broad groups: those with existing heart failure and CS and those with no known history of heart failure who present with "de novo" CS. The use of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has expanded across all etiologies, despite its high cost, resource intensity, complication rates, and lack of high-quality outcome data. Herein, we discuss the currently available evidence on the role of MCS in the management of patients with de novo CS to include fulminant myocarditis, right ventricular (RV) failure, Takotsubo syndrome, post-partum cardiomyopathy, and CS due to valve lesions and other cardiomyopathies.

Early Recognition and Risk Stratification in Cardiogenic Shock: Well Begun Is Half Done

Cardiogenic shock is a complex syndrome manifesting with distinct phenotypes depending on the severity of the primary cardiac insult and the underlying status. As long as therapeutic interventions fail to divert its unopposed rapid evolution, poor outcomes will continue challenging health care systems. Thus, early recognition in the emergency setting is a priority, in order to avoid delays in appropriate management and to ensure immediate initial stabilization. Since advanced therapeutic strategies and specialized shock centers may provide beneficial support, it seems that directing patients towards the recently described shock network may improve survival rates. A multidisciplinary approach strategy commands the interconnections between the strategic role of the ED in affiliation with cardiac shock centers. This review outlines critical features of early recognition and initial therapeutic management, as well as the utility of diagnostic tools and risk stratification models regarding the facilitation of patient trajectories through the shock network. Further, it proposes the implementation of precise criteria for shock team activation and the establishment of definite exclusion criteria for streaming the right patient to the right place at the right time.

Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Who Presented with Cardiogenic Shock versus Patients Who Developed Cardiogenic Shock during Hospitalization

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) continues to be a severe and fatal complication of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). CS patients have a high mortality rate despite significant progress in primary reperfusion, the management of heart failure and the expansion of mechanical circulatory support strategies. The present study addressed the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of ACS patients complicated with CS. Methods: We performed an observational study, using the 2000-2013 Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) database and identified hospitalizations of ACS patients complicated with CS. Patients' demographics and clinical characteristics, complications and outcomes were evaluated. We assessed the outcomes of ACS patients with CS at arrival (on the day of admission) compared with ACS patients who arrived without CS and developed CS during hospitalization. Results: The cohort included 13,434 patients with ACS diagnoses during the study period. Of these, 4.2% were complicated with CS; 224 patients were admitted with both ACS and CS; while 341 ACS patients developed CS only during the hospitalization period. The latter patients had significantly higher rates of MACEs compared with the group of ACS patients who presented with CS at arrival (73% vs. 51%; p < 0.0001). Similarly, the rates of in-hospital mortality (55% vs. 36%; p < 0.0001), 30-day mortality (64% vs. 50%; p = 0.0013) and 1-year mortality (73% vs. 59%; p = 0.0016) were higher in ACS patients who developed CS during hospitalization vs. ACS patients with CS at admission. There was a significant decrease in 1-year mortality trends during the 13 years of this study presented in ACS patients from both groups. Conclusions: Patients who developed CS during hospitalization had higher mortality and MACE rates compared with those who presented with CS at arrival. Further studies should focus on this subgroup of high-risk patients.