Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic Shock
Cardiogenic Shock
Definition
• Historically, mortality for cardiogenic shock had been 80% to 90%, but recent
studies indicate that the rate has dropped to 56% to 67% due to the advent of
thrombolytics, improved interventional procedures, and better therapies.
• Myocardial ischemia. Compensatory mechanisms may initially stabilize the patient but later
on would cause deterioration with the rising demands of oxygen of the already compromised
myocardium.
• End-stage cardiomyopathy.The inability of the heart to pump enough blood for the systems
causes cardiogenic shock.
Pathophysiology
This is what happens in cardiogenic shock:
• Inability to contract. When the myocardium can’t contract sufficiently to maintain adequate
cardiac output, stroke volume decreases and the heart can’t eject an adequate volume of blood
with each contraction.
• Pulmonary congestion. The blood backs up behind the weakened left ventricle, increasing
preload and causing pulmonary congestion.
• Compensation. In addition, to compensate for the drop in stroke volume, the heart rate
increases in an attempt to maintain cardiac output.
• Diminished stroke volume. As a result of the diminished stroke volume, coronary artery
perfusion and collateral blood flow is decreased.
• Increased workload. All of these mechanisms increase the heart’s workload and enhance left-
sided heart failure.
• End result. The result is myocardial hypoxia, further decreased cardiac output, and a triggering
of compensatory mechanisms to prevent decompensation and death.
Clinical Manifestations
Cardiogenic shock produces symptoms of poor tissue perfusion.
• Clammy skin. The patient experiences cool, clammy skin as the blood could not circulate properly to
the peripheries.
• Decreased systolic blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure decreases to 30 mmHg below
baseline.
• Tachycardia. Tachycardia occurs because the heart pumps faster than normal to compensate for the
decreased output all over the body.
• Rapid respirations. The patient experiences rapid, shallow respirations because there is not enough
oxygen circulating in the body.
• Oliguria. An output of less than 20ml/hour is indicative of oliguria.
• Mental confusion. Insufficient oxygenated blood in the brain could gradually cause mental confusion
and obtundation.
• Cyanosis. Cyanosis occurs because there is insufficient oxygenated blood that is being distributed to
all body systems.
Classification
When the drug therapy and medical procedures don’t work, then the last option
is for surgical procedure.
Nursing Assessment
• Vital signs. Assess the patient’s vital signs, especially the blood
pressure.
• Fluid overload. The ventricles of the heart cannot fully eject the
volume of blood at systole, so fluid may accumulate in the lungs.
Nursing Diagnosis
Based on the assessment data, the major nursing diagnoses are:
• Decreased cardiac output related to changes in myocardial contractility/inotropic
changes
• Impaired gas exchange related to changes in alveolar-capillary membrane.
• Excess fluid volume related to a decrease in renal organ perfusion,
increased sodium and water, hydrostatic pressure increase, or decrease plasma
protein.
• Ineffective tissue perfusion related to reduction/cessation of blood flow.
• Acute pain related to ischemic tissues secondary to blockage or narrowing of
coronary arteries.
• Activity intolerance related to imbalance between the oxygen supply and needs.
Nursing care planning & Goals