Cardiogenic Shock Patients Research Articles

Optimal patient and mechanical circulatory support device selection in acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock

Optimal patient and mechanical circulatory support device selection in acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock

Potential Impact of Direct Versus Indirect Central Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO) Cannulation in Refractory Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock.

Background Central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a commonly employed strategy to support patients in refractory postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (RPCS). This support can be provided using either indirect central ECMO (icECMO) with a closed thorax or direct central ECMO (dcECMO) with an open thorax. Methods This single-center retrospective analysis included 60 patients undergoing central VA-ECMO for RPCS from January 2019 to December 2020. The primary endpoint of this study is to compare 30-day survival outcomes between the icECMO and dcECMO approaches in RPCS patients. Secondary endpoints include the evaluation of adverse events and the identification of predictors that influence 30-day mortality. Results The study included 60 patients, 25 received icECMO and 35 treated with dcECMO due to RPCS. The icECMO group demonstrated significantly better 30-day survival rates (icECMO; 10 [40%] vs. dcECMO; 5 [14.3%], log-rank test; p=0.042). Despite comparable ECMO flow rate and ECMO RPM (rotations per minute) in the first day between the study groups ([icECMO; 4.5 l/min vs. dcECMO; 4.6 l/min, p=0.124], [icECMO; 3510 rpm vs. dcECMO; 3800 rpm, p=0.115], respectively), lactate levels were significantly higher in the dcECMO group on the 1st and 3rd post-extracorporeal life support (ECLS) days (p=0.006 and p=0.008, respectively). Gastrointestinal ischemia was more common in the dcECMO group (p=0.036). Successful ECMO weaning was more frequent in the icECMO group (56% vs. 22.9%, p=0.014). Multivariable logistic regression identified arterial lactate on the first day with a cutoff 4 mmol/las an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality with Exp(B) of 8.9 (p=0.007). Conclusions Our findings suggest a potential survival advantage with the icECMO technique in patients undergoing central ECMO cannulation after RPCS. However, larger prospective studies are essential to confirm this observation.

Feasibility of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support in awake patients with cardiogenic shock.

This study sought to demonstrate outcomes of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (VA-ECLS) in non-intubated ("awake") patients with cardiogenic shock, as very few studies have investigated safety and feasibility in this population. This was a retrospective review of 394 consecutive VA-ECLS patients at our institution from 2017 to 2021. We excluded patients cannulated for indications definitively associated with intubation. Patients were stratified by intubation status at time of cannulation and baseline differences were balanced by inverse probability of treatment weighting. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality while secondary outcomes included adverse events during ECLS and destination at discharge. Out of 135 patients in the final cohort, 79 were intubated and 56 were awake at time of cannulation. All awake patients underwent percutaneous femoral cannulation with technical success of 100% without intubation. Indications for VA-ECLS in awake patients included acute decompensated heart failure (64.3%), pulmonary hypertension or massive pulmonary embolism (12.5%), myocarditis (8.9%), and acute myocardial infarction (5.4%). After adjustment, awake and intubated patients had similar ECLS duration (7 vs 6 days, p = 0.19), in-hospital mortality (39.6% vs 51.7%, p = 0.28), and rates of various adverse events. Intubation status was not a significant risk factor for 90-day mortality (HR [95% CI]: 1.26 [0.64, 2.45], p = 0.51) in multivariable analysis. Heart transplantation (15.1% vs 4.9%) and ventricular assist device (17.4% vs 2.2%) were more common destinations at discharge in awake patients than intubated patients (p = 0.02). Awake VA-ECLS is safe and feasible with comparable outcomes as intubated counterparts in select cardiogenic shock patients.

Ventilation strategies in cardiogenic shock: Insights from the AltShock-2 registry.

To describe the use and the relation to outcome of different ventilation strategies in a contemporary, large, prospective registry of cardiogenic shock patients. Among 657 patients enrolled from March 2020 to November 2023, 198 (30.1%) received oxygen therapy (OT), 96 (14.6%) underwent non-invasive ventilation (NIV), and 363 (55.3%) underwent invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV). Patients in the iMV group were significantly younger compared to those in the NIV and OT groups (63 vs. 69 years, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups regarding cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with SCAI B and C were more frequently treated with OT and NIV compared to iMV (65.1% and 65.4% vs. 42.6%, respectively, p > 0.001), while the opposite trend was observed in SCAI D patients (12% and 12.2% vs. 30.9%, respectively, p < 0.001). All-cause mortality at 24 h did not differ amongst the three groups. The 60-day mortality rates were 40.2% for the iMV group, 26% for the OT group, and 29.3% for the NIV group (p = 0.005), even after excluding patients with cardiac arrest at presentation. In the multivariate analysis including SCAI stages, NIV was not associated with worse mortality compared to iMV (hazard ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval 0.85-4.56), even in more severe SCAI stages such as D. Compared to previous studies, we observed a rising trend in the utilization of NIV among cardiogenic shock patients, irrespective of aetiology and SCAI stages. In this clinical scenario, NIV emerges as a safe option for appropriately selected patients.

Phenotyping Refractory Cardiogenic Shock Patients Receiving Venous-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Using Machine Learning Algorithms.

This study used machine learning to categorize cardiogenic shock (CS) patients treated with venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) into distinct phenotypes. Subsequently, it aimed to clarify the wide mortality variance observed in refractory CS, attributing it to the condition's inherent heterogeneity. This study enrolled a cohort of CS patients who received VA-ECMO support. By employing rigorous machine learning (ML) techniques, we generated and validated clusters based on determinants identified through algorithmic analysis. These clusters, characterized by distinct clinical outcomes, facilitated the examination of clinical and laboratory profiles to enhance the understanding of patient responses to VA-ECMO treatment. In a study of 210 CS patients undergoing VA-ECMO treatment, 70.5% were male with a median age of 62, ranging from 53 to 67 years. Survival rates were 67.6% during VA-ECMO and 49.5% post-discharge. Patients were classified into three phenotypes based on the clinical and laboratory findings: "platelet preserved (I)", those with stable platelet counts, "hyperinflammatory (II)", those indicating significant inflammation, and "hepatic-renal (III)", those showing compromised liver and kidney functions. Mortality rates (25.0%, 52.8%, and 55.9% for phenotypes I, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ, respectively (p = 0.005)) varied significantly among these groups, highlighting the importance of phenotype identification in patient management. This study identified three distinct phenotypes among refractory CS patients treated using VA-ECMO, each with unique clinical characteristics and mortality risks. Thus, highlighting the importance of early detection and targeted intervention, these findings suggest that proactive management could improve outcomes for those showing critical signs.

Custo-Efetividade da Oxigenação por Membrana Extracorpórea Venoarterial no Choque Cardiogênico Refratário: Um Estudo na Perspectiva Brasileira

Abstract Background Refractory cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality rates, and the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) as a therapeutic option has generated discussions. Therefore, its cost-effectiveness, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Brazil, remains uncertain.Objectives: To conduct a cost-utility analysis from the Brazilian Unified Health System perspective to assess the cost-effectiveness of VA-ECMO combined with standard care compared to standard care alone in adult refractory CS patients. Methods We followed a cohort of refractory CS patients treated with VA-ECMO in tertiary care centers located in Southern Brazilian. We collected data on hospital outcomes and costs. We conducted a systematic review to supplement our data and utilized a Markov model to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and per life-year gained. Results In the base-case analysis, VA-ECMO yielded an ICER of Int$ 37,491 per QALY. Sensitivity analyses identified hospitalization cost, relative risk of survival, and VA-ECMO group survival as key drivers of results. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis favored VA-ECMO, with a 78% probability of cost-effectiveness at the recommended willingness-to-pay threshold. Conclusions Our study suggests that, within the Brazilian Health System framework, VA-ECMO may be a cost-effective therapy for refractory CS. However, limited efficacy data and recent trials questioning its benefit in specific patient subsets highlight the need for further research. Rigorous clinical trials, encompassing diverse patient profiles, are essential to confirm cost-effectiveness and ensure equitable access to advanced medical interventions within healthcare systems, particularly in socio-economically diverse countries like Brazil.

Retrospective Analysis of VA-ECMO in Cardiogenic Shock Patients Within the Advanced Heart Failure Unit in Western Australia: A 17-Year Review

Retrospective Analysis of VA-ECMO in Cardiogenic Shock Patients Within the Advanced Heart Failure Unit in Western Australia: A 17-Year Review

Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of Impella-Ineligible Cardiogenic Shock Patients

Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of Impella-Ineligible Cardiogenic Shock Patients

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Patients Suffering Cardiogenic Shock.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality. Patients treated for CS mostly require heparin therapy, which may be associated with complications such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT represents a serious condition associated with platelet decline and increased hypercoagulability and remains a poorly researched field in intensive care medicine. Primary purpose of this study was to: 1) determine HIT prevalence in CS, 2) assess the performance of common diagnostic tests for the workup of HIT, and 3) compare outcomes in CS patients with excluded and confirmed HIT. Retrospective dual-center study including adult patients 18 years old or older with diagnosed CS and suspected HIT from January 2010 to November 2022. Cardiac ICU at the Ludwig-Maximilians University hospital in Munich and the university hospital of Bonn. In this retrospective analysis, adult patients with diagnosed CS and suspected HIT were included. Differences in baseline characteristics, mortality, neurologic and safety outcomes between patients with excluded and confirmed HIT were evaluated. In cases of suspected HIT, positive screening antibodies were detected in 159 of 2808 patients (5.7%). HIT was confirmed via positive functional assay in 57 of 2808 patients, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 2.0%. The positive predictive value for anti-platelet factor 4/heparin screening antibodies was 35.8%. Total in-hospital mortality (58.8% vs. 57.9%; p > 0.999), 1-month mortality (47.1% vs. 43.9%; p = 0.781), and 12-month mortality (58.8% vs. 59.6%; p > 0.999) were similar between patients with excluded and confirmed HIT, respectively. Furthermore, no significant difference in neurologic outcome among survivors was found between groups (Cerebral Performance Category [CPC] score 1: 8.8% vs. 8.8%; p > 0.999 and CPC 2: 7.8% vs. 12.3%; p = 0.485). HIT was a rare complication in CS patients treated with unfractionated heparin and was not associated with increased mortality. Also, HIT confirmation was not associated with worse neurologic outcome in survivors. Future studies should aim at developing more precise, standardized, and cost-effective strategies to diagnose HIT and prevent complications.

The admission level of CRP during cardiogenic shock is a strong independent risk marker of mortality

Inflammatory processes are involved not only in coronary artery disease but also in heart failure (HF). Cardiogenic shock (CS) and septic shock are classically distinct although intricate relationships are frequent in daily practice. The impact of admission inflammation in patients with CS is largely unknown. FRENSHOCK is a prospective registry including 772 CS patients from 49 centers. One-month and one-year mortalities were analyzed according to the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) at admission, adjusted on independent predictive factors. Within 406 patients included, 72.7% were male, and the mean age was 67.4 y ± 14.7. Four groups were defined, depending on the quartiles of CRP at admission. Q1 with a CRP < 8 mg/L, Q2: CRP was 8–28 mg/L, Q3: CRP was > 28–69 mg/L, and Q4: CRP was > 69 mg/L. The four groups did not differ regarding main baseline characteristics. However, group Q4 received more often antibiotics in 47.5%, norepinephrine in 66.3%, and needed more frequently respiratory support and renal replacement therapy. Whether at 1 month (Ptrend = 0.01) or 1 year (Ptrend < 0.01), a strong significant trend towards increased all-cause mortality was observed across CRP quartiles. Specifically, compared to the Q1 group, Q4 patients demonstrated a 2.2-fold higher mortality rate at 1-month (95% CI 1.23–3.97, p < 0.01), which persisted at 1-year, with a 2.14-fold increase in events (95% CI 1.43–3.22, p < 0.01). Admission CRP level is a strong independent predictor of mortality at 1 month and 1-year in CS. Specific approaches need to be developed to identify accurately patients in whom inflammatory processes are excessive and harmful, paving the way for innovative approaches in patients admitted for CS.NCT02703038.

Comparison of Clinical Features and Outcomes of Shocks in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C), Septic Shock, and Cardiogenic Shock

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C) is an inflammatory disorder that shares similarities with Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome. The majority of MIS-C patients exhibit cardiovascular abnormalities, with cardiogenic and vasodilatory shock occurring in 60% of cases. Objectives: To determine the differences between MIS-C shock, septic shock, and cardiogenic shock. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted between January 2021 and December 2022. The study included children aged between 1 month and 15 years with MIS-C shock, septic shock, and cardiogenic shock. Patients’ medical records were reviewed, including clinical presentations, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes. Results: The study included 60 patients: 13 (22%) with MIS-C shock, 33 (55%) with septic shock, and 14 (23%) with cardiogenic shock. Compared to septic shock and cardiogenic shock, MIS-C patients were more likely to present with a rash (P &lt; 0.001). Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children shock patients had significantly lower lymphocyte counts (P = 0.001). Chest radiograph and echocardiography abnormalities were more common in MIS-C shock and cardiogenic shock patients than in septic shock patients (P = 0.004). USCOM results indicated that MIS-C shock patients displayed a combination of a decreased inotropic index and systemic Vascular Resistance Index. Conclusions: The most distinct clinical feature of MIS-C shock is a cutaneous manifestation combined with higher levels of inflammation and a decreased lymphocyte count, caused by vasodilation and myocardial dysfunction.

Normalized lactate load as an independent prognostic indicator in patients with cardiogenic shock

BackgroundEarly prognosis evaluation is crucial for decision-making in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients. Dynamic lactate assessment, for example, normalized lactate load, has been a better prognosis predictor than single lactate value in septic shock. Our objective was to investigate the correlation between normalized lactate load and in-hospital mortality in patients with CS.MethodsData were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database. The calculation of lactate load involved the determination of the cumulative area under the lactate curve, while normalized lactate load was computed by dividing the lactate load by the corresponding period. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed, and the evaluation of areas under the curves (AUC) for various parameters was performed using the DeLong test.ResultsOur study involved a cohort of 1932 CS patients, with 687 individuals (36.1%) experiencing mortality during their hospitalization. The AUC for normalized lactate load demonstrated significant superiority compared to the first lactate (0.675 vs. 0.646, P < 0.001), maximum lactate (0.675 vs. 0.651, P < 0.001), and mean lactate (0.675 vs. 0.669, P = 0.003). Notably, the AUC for normalized lactate load showed comparability to that of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (0.675 vs. 0.695, P = 0.175).ConclusionThe normalized lactate load was an independently associated with the in-hospital mortality among CS patients.

Cardiac power output ratio: Novel survival predictor after percutaneous ventricular assist device in cardiogenic shock.

Currently, there is limited data on prognostic indicators after insertion of percutaneous ventricular assist device (PVAD) in the treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS). This study evaluated the prognostic role of cardiac power output (CPO) ratio, defined as CPO at 24h divided by early CPO (30min to 2h), in CS patients after PVAD. Consecutive CS patients from the QEH-PVAD Registry were followed up for survival at 90days after PVAD. Among 121 consecutive patients, 98 underwent right heart catheterization after PVAD, with CPO ratio available in 68 patients. The CPO ratio and 24-h CPO, but not the early CPO post PVAD, were significantly associated with 90-day survival, with corresponding area under curve in ROC analysis of 0.816, 0.740, and 0.469, respectively. In multivariate analysis, only the CPO ratio and lactate level at 24h remained as independent survival predictors. The CPO ratio was not associated with age, sex, and body size. Patients with lower CPO ratio had significantly lower coronary perfusion pressure, worse right heart indices, and higher pulmonary vascular resistance. A lower CPO ratio was also significantly associated with mechanical ventilation and higher creatine kinase levels in myocardial infarction patients. In post-PVAD patients, the CPO ratio outperformed the absolute CPO values and other haemodynamic metrics in predicting survival at 90days. Such a proportional change of CPO over time, likely reflecting native heart function recovery, may help to guide management of CS patients post-PVAD.

The double barrel Impella exchange: A reliable method for uninterrupted mechanical circulatory support

Classic Impella exchange interrupts flow when the old device is pulled into the aorta before advancing the new device across the aortic valve, threatening circulatory collapse and loss of left ventricular access. In “double barrel,” uninterrupted Impella exchange, the new device is placed into the ventricle alongside the old, where flow is first transitioned completely. Of thirty-one consecutive patients undergoing this procedure, none experienced intraoperative cardiac arrest and 96.8% (30/31) had no new aortic insufficiency. One vascular complication ensued following known preoperative iliac injury. One patient suffered nonembolic stroke; another had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Fifty-five percent (17/31) of patients survived, with 22.6% (7/31) recovering, 25.8% (8/31) undergoing transplant, and 6.5% (2/31) transitioning to durable LVAD. Impella-only survival (83.3%, 10/12) was significantly higher than Impella-ECMO survival (36.8%, 7/19) (OR 14.46, 95% CI 1.74-119.93, p=0.01). We conclude “double barrel” technique is reliable in device-dependent cardiogenic shock patients, offering significant advantage and minimal risk.

Implementation of a cardiogenic shock team in a tertiary academic center

ObjectiveObservational studies have shown that the management of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) by dedicated multidisciplinary teams improves clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, these studies reflect a specific organizational setting with most patients being transferred from referring hospitals, hospitalized in cardiac intensive care units (ICU), or treated with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. The purpose of this study was to document the organization and outcomes of a CS team offering acute care in an all-comer population. MethodsA CS team was developed in a large academic tertiary institution. The team consisted of emergency care physicians, critical care cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, ICU physicians, and heart failure specialists and was supported by a predefined operating protocol, a dedicated communication platform, and regular team meetings. ResultsOver 12 months, 70 CS patients (69 ± 13 years old, 67% males) were included. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) was the most common cause (64%); 31% of the patients presented post-resuscitated cardiac arrest and 56% needed invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Coronary angiography was performed in 70% and 53% had percutaneous coronary intervention. MCS was used in 10% and 6% were referred for urgent cardiac surgery. The in-hospital mortality in our center was 40% with 39% of the patients dying within 24 h from presentation. Overall, 76% of the live patients were discharged home. ConclusionAcross an all-comer population, AMI was the most common cause of CS. A significant number of patients presented post-cardiac arrest, and the majority required IMV. Mortality was high with a significant number dying within hours of presentation.

Cost-Utility of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Refractory Cardiogenic Shock: A Brazilian Perspective Study.

Refractory cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality rates, and the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) as a therapeutic option has generated discussions. Therefore, its cost-effectiveness, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Brazil, remains uncertain.Objectives: To conduct a cost-utility analysis from the Brazilian Unified Health System perspective to assess the cost-effectiveness of VA-ECMO combined with standard care compared to standard care alone in adult refractory CS patients. We followed a cohort of refractory CS patients treated with VA-ECMO in tertiary care centers located in Southern Brazilian. We collected data on hospital outcomes and costs. We conducted a systematic review to supplement our data and utilized a Markov model to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and per life-year gained. In the base-case analysis, VA-ECMO yielded an ICER of Int$ 37,491 per QALY. Sensitivity analyses identified hospitalization cost, relative risk of survival, and VA-ECMO group survival as key drivers of results. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis favored VA-ECMO, with a 78% probability of cost-effectiveness at the recommended willingness-to-pay threshold. Our study suggests that, within the Brazilian Health System framework, VA-ECMO may be a cost-effective therapy for refractory CS. However, limited efficacy data and recent trials questioning its benefit in specific patient subsets highlight the need for further research. Rigorous clinical trials, encompassing diverse patient profiles, are essential to confirm cost-effectiveness and ensure equitable access to advanced medical interventions within healthcare systems, particularly in socio-economically diverse countries like Brazil.

Does Timing of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Impact Early- and Long-Term Outcomes?

The optimal timing of surgical revascularization after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is controversial, with some suggesting higher mortality rates in patients undergoing early surgery. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of the timing of surgical revascularization on 30-day mortality and long-term outcomes in these patients. Retrospective single-center analysis of patients with STEMI undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between January 2008 and December 2019 at our institution. The cohort was split into three groups based on time from symptom onset until surgical revascularization (Group 1: <12 hours, Group 2: 12-72 hours, Group 3: >72 hours). Statistical analyses were performed with and without patients in cardiogenic shock. Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 10-year survival. During the study period, 437 consecutive patients underwent surgical revascularization in the setting of STEMI. The mean age was 67.0 years, 96 (22.0%) patients were female, and 281 (64.3%) patients underwent off-pump CABG. The overall 30-day mortality including patients with cardiogenic shock was 12.8%. The 30-day mortality was 16.1, 13.9, and 9.3% in Groups 1, 2, and 3 (p = 0.31), whereas 10-year survival was 48.5, 57.3, and 54.9% (log-rank: p = 0.40). After exclusion of patients in cardiogenic shock, there was no difference between the three groups in 30-day and 10-year mortality. Timing of surgery had no influence on early- and long-term survival. In patients with STEMI, early surgical revascularization achieved similar early- and long-term survival rates compared with a delayed surgical revascularization strategy. Hence, when indicated, an early CABG strategy has no disadvantages in comparison to a delayed strategy.

Association between Albumin-Corrected Anion Gap and Mortality in Patients with Cardiogenic Shock.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a critical illness with a high mortality rate in clinical practice. Although some biomarkers have been found to be associated with mortality in patients suffering from CS in previous studies. The albumin-corrected anion gap (ACAG) has not been studied in depth. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between ACAG and mortality in patients with CS. All baseline data was extracted from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV version: 2.0 (MIMIC-IV). According to the prognosis at 30 days of follow-up, they were divided into survivors and non-survivors groups. The survival curves between the two groups were drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Valid factors were selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic analysis model. Analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between mortality and all enrolled patients using restricted cubic spline (RCS) and Cox proportional hazards models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the predictive ability of ACAG. Evaluation of final result stability using sensitivity analysis. 839 cases were selected to meet the inclusion criteria and categorized into survivors and non-survivors groups in the final analysis. The ACAG value measured for the first time at the time of admission was selected as the research object. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curves showed that cumulative 30- and 90-day survival decreased progressively with elevated ACAG (p 0.001), and multifactorial Cox regression analyses showed ACAG to be an independent risk factor for increased 30- and 90-day mortality in patients suffering from CS (p 0.05). RCS curves revealed that all-cause mortality in this group of patients increased with increasing ACAG ( 2 = 5.830, p = 0.120). The ROC curve showed that the best cutoff value for ACAG for predicting 30-day mortality in patients with CS was 22.625, with a sensitivity of 44.0% and a specificity of 74.7%. The relationship between ACAG and CS short-term mortality remained stable in all sensitivity analyses (All p 0.05). The ACAG is an independent risk factor for 30- and 90-day mortality in CS patients and predicts poor clinical outcomes in CS patients. According to our study, elevated ACAG at admission, especially when ACAG 20 mmol/L, was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in CS.

Decoding cardiogenic shock: assessing shock index and its variants as prognostic indicators for in-hospital mortality.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Objective assessment of its severity and prognosis is paramount for timely therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the shock index (SI) and its variants as prognostic indicators for in-hospital mortality. A retrospective study involving 1282 CS patients were evaluated. Baseline patient characteristics, clinical trajectory, hospital outcomes, and shock indices were collected and analysed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to determine the predictive accuracy of shock indices in predicting in-hospital mortality. Of those evaluated, 866 (67.6%) survived until discharge. Non-survivors were older (66.0±13.7 vs. 57.4±16.2, P<0.001), had a higher incidence of cardiac risk factors, and were more likely to present with acute coronary syndrome (33.4% vs. 16.1%, P<0.001) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (11.3% vs. 5.3%, P<0.001). All mean shock indices were significantly higher in non-survivors compared with survivors. ROC curves demonstrated that adjusted shock index (ASI), age-modified shock index (AMSI), and shock index-C (SIC) had the highest predictive accuracy for in-hospital mortality, with AUC values of 0.654, 0.667, and 0.659, respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that SIC had good predictive ability in patients with STEMI (AUC: 0.714) and ACS (AUC: 0.696) while AMSI and ASI were notably predictive in the OHCA group (AUC: 0.707 and 0.701, respectively). Shock index and its variants, especially ASI, AMSI, and SIC, may be helpful in predicting in-hospital mortality in CS patients. Their application could guide clinicians in upfront risk stratification. SIC, ASI, and AMSI show potential in predicting in-hospital mortality in specific CS subsets (STEMI and OHCA). This is the first study to evaluate SI and its variants in CS patients.

Physical preconditioning on biventricular temporary mechanical circulatory support while awaiting heart transplantation.

Temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) is increasingly used in patients with cardiogenic shock as a bridge to further treatment. We present the case of a 52-year-old female patient with biventricular heart failure who was bridged to heart transplantation employing biventricular tMCS through a non-femoral access. The 'groin-free' tMCS concept facilitates pre-habilitation while awaiting heart transplantation.