Diagnosis and treatment of cardiogenic shock

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Do Xuan Chien - Head of Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine and Professional Advisor, Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Cardiogenic shock is a dangerous disease and also one of the major causes of death. However, statistics show that more than 50% of patients with cardiogenic shock survive if treated immediately.

1. Overview of cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock is a condition that occurs when the heart is suddenly unable to pump blood to meet the oxygen and nutrient needs of the body's organs. Cardiogenic shock is usually caused by a severe heart attack. Cardiogenic shock is not a common but rare disease, but if not treated immediately, most often leads to death.
Some common symptoms of cardiogenic shock include:
Severe shortness of breath, rapid breathing Sudden heartbeat Loss of consciousness Confusion Profuse sweating Cold hands and feet Urinating less than usual Main cause Cardiogenic shock is a severe heart attack. That's why it's important to know some of the symptoms of a heart attack. Specifically:
There is a feeling of pressure, squeezing pain in the chest area lasting up to several minutes. The chest pain then spread to the shoulder and arm, even to the jawbone and teeth. Persistent upper abdominal pain Stress chest pain

Nausea, vomiting Sweating Unconsciousness As soon as one of the above symptoms occurs, it is necessary to seek medical services as quickly as possible to minimize damage and improve survival rates for the patient . These symptoms should not be considered for more than 5 minutes and someone should take the patient to the hospital. Only when there is no other option should the patient drive himself.

2. Method used to diagnose cardiogenic shock

Diagnosis of cardiogenic shock in emergencies. At that time, the doctor will check for symptoms of cardiogenic shock and do more tests to find the cause of the shock.
Blood pressure measurement People with cardiogenic shock often have very low blood pressure. In cases where the patient is treated by ambulance, the blood pressure will be measured right on the vehicle, before going to the hospital.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) This is the first method used to diagnose a heart attack. While asking the patient about the symptoms, the doctor will also conduct an electrocardiogram. Through electrodes attached to the skin, an electrocardiogram can record the electrical activity of the heart and display it on a screen as "waves". Normally, if the heart is damaged, it is not possible to carry out normal electrical impulses. So, by observing the ECG, the doctor can tell whether or not a heart attack has occurred or is happening.

Chest X-ray To check the shape and size of the heart and its blood vessels, the doctor needs to perform a chest X-ray of the patient.
Blood tests Blood tests are ordered to detect signs of an infection in the heart, thereby determining if a heart attack has occurred.
In addition, the person with cardiogenic shock may also be ordered to have an arterial blood gas test to measure the amount of oxygen present in the blood.
Echocardiography In echocardiography, the patient will be used by a doctor with a transducer device aimed at the chest area. The sound waves are then reflected back and displayed as an image on the screen. Based on that, the doctor will determine which part of the heart is being damaged by the heart attack.

3. Treatment of cardiogenic shock

Treatments for cardiogenic shock usually focus on repairing and correcting damage to the heart muscle and other organs caused by lack of oxygen.
Emergency vital function support This is a necessary treatment for all people receiving cardiogenic shock. The patient will now be given extra oxygen to minimize muscle damage. In case of need, the patient may have to use a breathing machine (ventilator).
Medication Medicines are prescribed by a specialist to increase the ability of the blood to pump and improve blood flow through the heart. Some commonly prescribed medications include: aspirin, thrombolytics, superaspirins, blood thinners (heparin), vasopressors (dopamine/epinephrine).

Medical Procedures Medical procedures performed to restore blood flow through the heart. Specifically:
Angioplasty and stenting: Emergency angioplasty helps open blocked coronary arteries so that blood can flow more easily to the heart. A catheter equipped with a special balloon is inserted through an artery, usually from the leg, to a blocked artery in the heart. The catheter balloon is briefly inflated so that the blocked coronary artery can be opened. At the same time, restoring blood flow to the heart is accomplished by placing a metal mesh stent in the artery to keep it open for a long time. Aortic balloon: Depending on the case, the doctor will decide whether to insert the aortic balloon or not.

Surgery Surgery may be ordered by your doctor if medications and medical procedures don't work.
Coronary artery surgery Heart damage repair surgery Heart support pump implant surgery Heart transplant surgery . The above are some common methods of diagnosis and treatment of cardiogenic shock. Patients with signs of a heart attack or cardiogenic shock should seek immediate medical help, which can improve survival rates for patients. However, it is better for people to still maintain a scientific lifestyle to be able to minimize dangerous heart attacks.
To protect heart health in general and detect early signs of myocardial infarction and stroke, customers can sign up for Cardiovascular Screening Package - Basic Cardiovascular Examination of Vinmec International General Hospital . The examination package helps to detect cardiovascular problems at the earliest through tests and modern imaging methods. The package is for all ages, genders and is especially essential for people with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Master. Doctor Do Xuan Chien is former Deputy Head of Cardiology Department of Phu Tho Provincial General Hospital with more than 11 years of experience working in Cardiology and Metabolic Pathology. Currently, he is the Head of the Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine, Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Associate Professor. Dr. Hoang Dang Mich has over 42 years of medical career, has strengths in the specialized fields of Liver - Kidney - Immune pathology... Currently, he is a Specialist Consultant of General Internal Medicine Department of Examination. Medicine & Internal Medicine, Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
MORE
What is cardiogenic shock? Causes of cardiogenic shock Cardiogenic shock: What you need to know Expression and emergency management of cardiogenic shock