Cardiogenic shock — bacterial myocarditis (Staph, Strep, diphtheria, TB, meningococcal)
Phase E variant of cardio.cardiogenic-shock.core.v1 — narrowed to bacterial myocarditis with cardiogenic shock. Etiologies: Staphylococcus (most common), Streptococcus (post-infectious / direct), diphtheria toxin (rare with vaccination but devastating), tuberculous, meningococcal sepsis, Lyme overlap, atypicals (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Coxiella, Brucella, Leptospira, Rickettsia). Workup: blood cultures × 3 BEFORE antibiotics; cardiac MRI Lake Louise; EMB if etiology uncertain or refractory; PCR for atypicals; HIV testing; PPD/IGRA + sputum AFB if TB risk; TEE if endocarditis suspicion; throat swab if diphtheria. Treatment ACUTE: targeted antibiotics — empiric vancomycin 25-30 mg/kg + ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h covers MSSA/MRSA/Strep/Listeria/meningococcal; tailor within 48-72 h. Standard CS support — NE first-line; cautious dobutamine (arrhythmogenic). AVOID immunosuppression (worsens infection — distinct from autoimmune myocarditis). Etiology-specific: Diphtheria — equine antitoxin from CDC stockpile + erythromycin/penicillin; vaccinate contacts. TB — RIPE × 2 mo intensive then RI × 4 mo continuation + steroids if pericardial component. Meningococcal — ceftriaxone + dexamethasone (if meningitis component) + supportive + droplet isolation + close-contact chemoprophylaxis (rifampin or ciprofloxacin per CDC 2024). Long-term: GDMT 4-pillar if persistent EF<40; recovery often if etiology controlled; cardiac MRI follow-up at 3-6 mo for fibrosis; vaccination updates (diphtheria booster q10y, pneumococcal, meningococcal if at-risk, COVID-19, influenza); contact tracing per pathogen. Inherits parent CS framework; specialises for bacterial myocarditis — targeted antibiotic stewardship, AVOIDANCE of immunosuppression confusion with autoimmune myocarditis, contact tracing + vaccination prevention, MDR-organism stewardship. Status INTEGRATED until terminology + RxNav-validated drug codes are reconciled. Authored 2026-05-15 by shard-06-cardio-acute as Phase E wave 22 infectious cardiac variant.
Entry points (6)
- symptomCardiogenic shock + fever + signs of bacteremia → bacterial myocarditis suspicion (Staph, Strep, meningococcal)cs_with_fever_and_bacteremia_signs
- historyRecent severe pharyngitis (gray membrane) in unvaccinated patient + new carditis → diphtheria toxin myocarditis (medical emergency, antitoxin from CDC)recent_pharyngitis_with_carditis_in_unvaccinated
- symptomSubacute carditis + constitutional symptoms + pericardial effusion in HIV-positive / immunocompromised → TB myocarditis evaluationtuberculous_myocarditis_with_pericardial_effusion_in_immunocompromised
- symptomMeningococcemia (purpura fulminans, sepsis) with carditis features → meningococcal myocarditismeningococcemia_with_carditis
- lab_abnormalityPositive blood cultures (Staph, Strep, atypicals) + new LV dysfunction or AV block → bacterial myocarditis with bacteremic seedingpositive_blood_cultures_with_new_carditis
- historyAnimal / tick / vector exposure + new carditis → atypicals (Coxiella Q-fever, Brucella, Leptospira, Rickettsia)tick_or_animal_exposure_with_carditis
Required inputs (22)
- agerequireddemographic • used at CONTEXTBacterial myocarditis can affect any age; diphtheria classic in <5 y or unvaccinated adults; TB more common in older / immunocompromised
- sbprequiredvital • used at RED_FLAGSSCAI 2022 staging baseline; bacterial myocarditis CS often combined with septic shock — distributive + cardiogenic mixed picture
- hrrequiredvital • used at RED_FLAGSTachycardia from sepsis + LV dysfunction; AV block in diphtheria / Lyme / TB myocarditis with conduction system involvement
- temprequiredvital • used at RED_FLAGSFever almost always present in active bacterial myocarditis; temp >38.5 = SIRS criterion + sepsis bundle activation
- spo2requiredvital • used at INITIAL_WORKUPPulm congestion from LV dysfunction + ARDS from sepsis; intubation often needed
- lactaterequiredlab • used at RED_FLAGSSCAI staging anchor + sepsis bundle marker; ≥2 = SCAI C+; ≥4 = severe shock
- troponinrequiredlab • used at INITIAL_WORKUPElevated in active myocarditis; trend during recovery; pseudo-MI pattern possible
- bnp_ntprobnprequiredlab • used at INITIAL_WORKUPElevated proportional to LV dysfunction; trends recovery on antibiotics
- blood_culturesrequiredlab • used at INITIAL_WORKUPMANDATORY × 3 BEFORE antibiotics — identifies organism + drives targeted therapy; modified Duke criteria for endocarditis exclusion
- cbcrequiredlab • used at INITIAL_WORKUPLeukocytosis + left shift in bacterial; thrombocytopenia in TB / meningococcal / sepsis-DIC
- creatininerequiredlab • used at CONTEXTBaseline for vancomycin trough monitoring + nephrotoxic agent dosing; AKI common in mixed shock
- lftrequiredlab • used at CONTEXTTB drug hepatotoxicity baseline; sepsis-related transaminitis; congestive hepatopathy from RV dysfunction
- hiv_testlab • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPTB risk + immunocompromised classification; TB myocarditis more common in HIV+; affects treatment intensity
- ppd_or_igralab • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPTB myocarditis screen if subacute presentation + endemic exposure / immunocompromised
- ecgrequiredimaging • used at INITIAL_WORKUPPseudo-MI ST changes, AV block (diphtheria / TB / Lyme overlap), arrhythmia; serial monitoring
- echorequiredimaging • used at INITIAL_WORKUPLV function, RV strain, pericardial effusion (TB, meningococcal), valvular function (rule out IE), wall motion
- cardiac_mriimaging • used at BRANCHING_WORKUPLake Louise criteria (T2/T1 mapping + LGE) for myocarditis confirmation + prognostication
- cxrrequiredimaging • used at INITIAL_WORKUPPulm congestion + cavitary lesions if TB + cardiomegaly + pericardial effusion silhouette
- vaccination_historyrequiredhistory • used at CONTEXTDiphtheria + meningococcal + pneumococcal + COVID-19 status drives risk; gaps suggest preventable etiology
- tb_exposure_historyhistory • used at CONTEXTEndemic region, household contact, prior treatment, BCG history; HIV co-infection risk
- animal_or_vector_exposurehistory • used at CONTEXTAtypicals — Coxiella (livestock), Brucella (unpasteurized dairy), Leptospira (water/rodents), Rickettsia (ticks/fleas)
- penicillin_allergyrequiredhistory • used at CONTEXTDrives antibiotic selection — vancomycin alone if anaphylactic to beta-lactams; daptomycin alternative
12-phase flow (12)
- 1FRAMEBacterial myocarditis with cardiogenic shock — distinct from viral / autoimmune / Lyme by bacterial pathogen + targeted antibiotic therapy + AVOIDANCE of immunosuppression; identify etiology subgroup (Staph/Strep/diphtheria/TB/meningococcal/atypical) for tailored regimeninputs: age, temp, sbpadvance: Bacterial myocarditis confirmed as working diagnosis with etiologic subgroup identified or empiric coverage started
- 2ENTRYMobilize cards + ID + ICU teams immediately; activate sepsis bundle alongside CS workup; cardiac MRI / EMB pathway initiation; serial cultures + organism-targeted PCRinputs: sbp, hr, tempadvance: Multi-disciplinary team activated + sepsis bundle started in parallel with CS workup
- 3CONTEXTVaccination history (diphtheria, meningococcal, pneumococcal), TB exposure, animal/vector exposure, penicillin allergy, immunocompromise, prior cardiac history, comorbiditiesinputs: vaccination_history, tb_exposure_history, animal_or_vector_exposure, penicillin_allergy, creatinine, lftadvance: Context complete and antibiotic plan drafted (empiric → targeted within 48-72 h)
- 4RED_FLAGSSBP <90 + lactate ≥2 → SCAI C+; sepsis bundle activation if temp >38.5 or hypothermia + suspected source; high-grade AV block (diphtheria, TB) → temporary pacing prep; refractory shock → MCS escalation; meningococcal purpura fulminans → emergent ICU + IDinputs: sbp, lactate, hr, tempactions: cardiogenic_shock, sepsis_bundleadvance: Red flags screened + emergent intervention triggered if needed
- 5INITIAL_WORKUPBlood cultures × 3 BEFORE antibiotics, troponin, BNP, BMP, CBC, lactate, ABG, coags + DIC panel, LFT, ECG (q15-30 min serial during acute phase), bedside echo, CXR, urinalysis, lactate trend; throat swab if diphtheria suspicioninputs: blood_cultures, troponin, bnp_ntprobnp, cbc, ecg, echo, cxr, lactateactions: acs_pathway, panel.cardiac, panel.renal, panel.coag, panel.abgadvance: Workup complete and empiric antibiotics started within 1 h of presentation
- 6BRANCHING_WORKUPCardiac MRI (Lake Louise) for myocarditis confirmation; EMB if etiology uncertain or refractory shock; PCR for atypicals (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Coxiella); HIV test; PPD/IGRA + sputum AFB if TB risk; TEE if endocarditis suspicion (modified Duke); LP if meningococcal disease suspectedinputs: cardiac_mri, hiv_test, ppd_or_igraadvance: Etiology defined or EMB scheduled; targeted antibiotic regimen tailored within 48-72 h
- 7DIFFERENTIALBacterial subgroup identified (Staph vs Strep vs diphtheria vs TB vs meningococcal vs atypical); rule out viral (PCR), autoimmune (giant cell — EMB), drug-induced (clozapine, ICI), infiltrative (amyloid, sarcoid)inputs: blood_cultures, cardiac_mriadvance: Etiology assigned or EMB pending
- 8RISK_STRATIFICATIONSCAI 2022 CS stage; SOFA score; mixed septic + cardiogenic stage; CardShock registry score; transplant eligibility if refractory; quantify recovery probabilityinputs: sbp, lactate, troponin, creatinineadvance: Stage documented + MCS / transplant eligibility documented
- 9TREATMENTTARGETED ANTIBIOTICS — empiric vancomycin 25-30 mg/kg load + ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h (or piperacillin-tazobactam if HCAP risk) covers MSSA/MRSA/Strep/Listeria; tailor within 48-72 h to organism. Standard CS support: NE first-line; cautious dobutamine (arrhythmogenic in active myocarditis); IABP / Impella / VA-ECMO per SCAI staging. AVOID immunosuppression (worsens infection — distinct from autoimmune myocarditis). Diphtheria: equine antitoxin from CDC + erythromycin/penicillin. TB: 4-drug RIPE × 2 mo then RI × 4 mo + steroids if pericardial component. Meningococcal: ceftriaxone + dexamethasone (if meningitis component) + supportive. Vaccination boost contacts (diphtheria, meningococcal)inputs: sbp, creatinine, lftactions: protocol.cardiogenic_shockadvance: Empiric antibiotics started + CS support active + targeted regimen plan documented
- 10DISPOSITIONCICU for all bacterial myocarditis CS; ID isolation if TB / diphtheria / meningococcal; advanced HF / transplant team consult if refractory shock; cardiac MRI / EMB scheduledadvance: Unit + isolation + multi-disciplinary team assigned
- 11MONITORINGContinuous hemodynamics, daily lactate clearance, daily troponin + BNP trend, repeat blood cultures at 48-72 h to confirm clearance, daily BMP + LFT during antibiotics, vancomycin trough levels, AST/ALT during TB therapy, GDMT initiation if persistent EF<40 once euvolemic + off pressors ≥24 hinputs: troponin, bnp_ntprobnp, creatinine, lft, lactateactions: panel.cardiac, panel.renaladvance: Monitoring cadence set + recovery trajectory documented
- 12FOLLOWUPCardiology + ID follow-up at 1-3 mo; cardiac MRI at 3-6 mo for fibrosis assessment + recovery confirmation; vaccination updates (diphtheria booster q10y; pneumococcal; meningococcal if at-risk); GDMT continuation if persistent EF<40; cardiac rehab; contact tracing for diphtheria / meningococcal / TBadvance: Follow-up booked + recovery confirmation imaging scheduled + contact tracing initiated