What Is Cardiogenic Shock?
Cardiogenic (kar-dee-oh-JE-nik) shock is a state in
which a weakened heart isn't able to pump enough blood to meet the body's
needs. It is a medical emergency and is fatal if not treated right away. The
most common cause of cardiogenic shock is damage to the heart muscle from a
severe
heart
attack.
Not everyone who has a heart attack develops
cardiogenic shock. In fact, less than 10 percent of people who have a heart
attack develop it. But when cardiogenic shock does occur, it's very dangerous.
For people who die from a heart attack in a hospital, cardiogenic shock is the
most common cause.
What Is Shock?
The medical term "shock" refers to a state in which
not enough blood and oxygen reach important organs in the body, such as the
brain and kidneys. In a state of shock, a person's blood pressure is very low.
Shock can have a number of different causes.
Cardiogenic shock is only one cause of shock. Other causes of shock
include:
- Hypovolemic (hy-poe-voe-LEE-mik) shock. This is
shock due to not enough blood in the body. The most common cause is severe
bleeding.
- Vasodilatory (VAZ-oh-DILE-ah-tor-ee) shock. In
this type of shock, the blood vessels relax too much and cause very low blood
pressure. When the blood vessels are too relaxed, there isn't enough pressure
to push the blood through them. Without enough pressure, blood doesn't reach
the organs. A bacterial infection in the bloodstream, a severe allergic
reaction, or damage to the nervous system (brain and nerves) may cause
vasodilatory shock.
When a person is in shock (from any cause), not
enough blood or oxygen is reaching the body's organs. If shock lasts more than
several minutes, the lack of oxygen to the organs starts to damage them. If
shock isn't treated quickly, the organ damage can become permanent, and the
person can die.
Some of the signs and symptoms of shock include:
- Confusion or lack of alertness
- Loss of consciousness
- A sudden, rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Pale skin
- Weak pulse
- Rapid breathing
- Decreased or no urine output
- Cool hands and feet
If you suspect that you or someone with you is in
shock, call 911 and get emergency treatment right away. Prompt
treatment can help prevent or limit lasting damage to the brain and other
organs and can prevent death.
Outlook
In the past, almost no one survived cardiogenic
shock. Now, thanks to improved treatments, around 50 percent of people who go
into cardiogenic shock survive.
The reason more people are able to survive
cardiogenic shock is because of treatments (medicines and devices) that restore
blood flow to the heart and help the heart pump better. In some cases, devices
that take over the pumping function of the heart are used. Implanting these
devices requires major surgery.
June 2007
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