The Prevention and Treatment of Shock in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Early experiences with the organized care of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) demonstrated that cardiogenic shock was associated with mortality rates between 73–100 percent.1–5 Scheidt et al6 noted that “sinus tachycardia, atrioventricular block, late onset of shock, cool moist skin, coma, oliguria, and overt pulmonary edema were associated with mortality of more than 90 percent.” They also noted that neither norepinephrine nor isoproterenol seemed to influence survival. Severe ventricular failure with marked impairment of cardiac output from any cause may lead to peripheral circulatory failure.