Cardiogenic shock (SCAI A–E)
Encounter flow
10/12 authoredCanonical 12-phase frame with authored status for this dossier.
Frame
Multidisciplinary CS team activation (cards, ICU, IC, CT surgery) per SCAI 2019 hub-and-spoke model (Baran et al)
CS team activated
Patient inputs (9)
Compensatory tachy / brady + pre-arrest (SCAI 2019 Stage D/E criteria)
End-organ damage marker per SCAI 2019; drug dosing (ACC/AHA 2022)
AMI-CS vs HF-CS subtype classification (SHOCK trial, Hochman NEJM 1999)
LVEF, RV function, valvular cause, pericardial (ACC/AHA 2022 HF Guideline, Class I)
STEMI / OMI / wide-complex tachy precipitant (ACC/AHA 2022)
SCAI 2019 staging baseline + vasopressor titration (Baran et al)
SCAI 2019 staging + response to therapy; CardShock lactate prognostication (Harjola EHJ 2015)
AMI-CS pathway → urgent revascularization (SHOCK trial, Hochman NEJM 1999)
HF-CS — different MCS / inotrope strategy (ESC 2021 HF Guidelines)
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Severity triggers (9)
- informationallife_threateningscai_stage_d_or_eLactate rising on max NE + dobutamine OR cardiac arrest (SCAI 2019 Stage D/E, Baran et al)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningami_csCS within 24 h of STEMI / NSTE-ACS (SHOCK trial, Hochman NEJM 1999)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningmechanical_complicationAcute MR / VSR / free-wall rupture causing shock (ACC/AHA 2022)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningrv_predominant_shockSevere RV failure (massive PE, RV infarct, ARDS) with shock (ESC 2021)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningrefractory_arrhythmic_stormRecurrent VT/VF despite amiodarone in CS (AHA ACLS 2020)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningmulti_organ_failure_in_csAKI + hepatic dysfunction + AMS + coagulopathy in established CS (SCAI 2022 Stage D/E)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningbiventricular_failure_on_lv_mcsNew / worsening RV failure on LV-only MCS — RV-LV mismatch on biventricular MCS or LV unloading reveals RV failureTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationallife_threateningfutility_no_lactate_clearanceLactate non-clearance after 24 h on max MCS + pressors + inotropes + multi-organ failure + age + frailty + SOFA trajectory worseningTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseveremcs_bleeding_or_thrombosisMajor bleeding or device thrombosis on Impella / VA-ECMO — DanGer Shock major bleed 21.8%, limb ischemia 5.6% (Møller NEJM 2024 PMID 38587239)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
Workflow calculators
Run this disease's risk and dosing calculators inline.
Recommended regimen
Cardiogenic shock — vasopressor + inotrope + MCS escalation by SCAI 2019 stage (Baran et al)outpatient playbook — drug actions (4)
- 1. continue diuretic at discharge dose; titrate by weightrxcui 4603furosemide 40–80 mg PO daily — adjust ±20 mg per weight trend • PO • dailytrigger: Stable euvolemia at d/cMaintain euvolemia; smallest dose that holds (TRANSFORM-HF PMID 36648467)
- 2. first up-titration of ARNIrxcui 1656339sacubitril-valsartan 24/26 → 49/51 BID at week 1 • PO • BIDtrigger: SBP ≥100 + K <5.0 + eGFR stable + tolerated 1 weekSTRONG-HF intensive titration cadence; PIONEER-HF safety data (PMID 30415601)
- 3. first up-titration of BBrxcui 20352carvedilol 3.125 → 6.25 BID at week 1 if HR >65 • PO • BIDtrigger: HR >55 + euvolemia + SBP >100STRONG-HF; COPERNICUS (PMID 11386263)
- 4. add MRA if not yet startedrxcui 9997spironolactone 12.5 → 25 mg daily • PO • dailytrigger: K <5.0 + eGFR ≥30 + not on at d/cAddress GDMT gap; RALES (PMID 10471456)
Auto-drafted A&P note
outpatientSubjective
- Possible entry pathways: Persistent SBP <90 / MAP <65 unresponsive to fluids (SCAI 2019 Stage C criteria, Baran et al); Lactate ≥2.0 with cardiac failure (SCAI 2019 hypoperfusion marker, Baran et al); Severely reduced LVEF on echo with hypoperfusion (ACC/AHA 2022 HF Guideline).
Objective
- No vitals, labs, or imaging entered for this encounter.
Assessment
**Cardiogenic shock (SCAI A–E)** (cardio.cardiogenic-shock.core.v1). Scope: Multidisciplinary CS team activation (cards, ICU, IC, CT surgery) per SCAI 2019 hub-and-spoke model (Baran et al) No severity triggers fired against current inputs.
Plan
Regimen axis: **Cardiogenic shock — vasopressor + inotrope + MCS escalation by SCAI 2019 stage (Baran et al)** — step "Stage A — At Risk (no shock) — SCAI 2019". Setting playbook (outpatient) — Bridge encounter at 1-week post-discharge (the STRONG-HF anchor visit) — confirm euvolemia maintained, complete unfinished GDMT initiation, screen for early CS recurrence signals, set the biweekly titration trajectory; advanced-HF eval if persistent LV dysfunction 1. continue diuretic at discharge dose; titrate by weight furosemide 40–80 mg PO daily — adjust ±20 mg per weight trend PO daily — Stable euvolemia at d/c (Maintain euvolemia; smallest dose that holds (TRANSFORM-HF PMID 36648467)) 2. first up-titration of ARNI sacubitril-valsartan 24/26 → 49/51 BID at week 1 PO BID — SBP ≥100 + K <5.0 + eGFR stable + tolerated 1 week (STRONG-HF intensive titration cadence; PIONEER-HF safety data (PMID 30415601)) 3. first up-titration of BB carvedilol 3.125 → 6.25 BID at week 1 if HR >65 PO BID — HR >55 + euvolemia + SBP >100 (STRONG-HF; COPERNICUS (PMID 11386263)) 4. add MRA if not yet started spironolactone 12.5 → 25 mg daily PO daily — K <5.0 + eGFR ≥30 + not on at d/c (Address GDMT gap; RALES (PMID 10471456)) Non-pharmacologic actions: - Reinforce daily weight log + sodium <2 g/d + fluid <2 L/d if symptomatic (ACC/AHA 2022) - Cardiac rehab kick-off if not started (ACC/AHA 2022 Class I) - Confirm next visit booked at week 3 (biweekly through week 6 per STRONG-HF) - If LVEF persistently <30% — refer to advanced HF program for LVAD/transplant eval (ACC/AHA 2022 Class I) AVOID / contraindication checks: - Beta_blocker_AVOID_in_cardiogenic_shock (ACC/AHA 2022) - Nitrates_AVOID_RV_infarct_or_severe_hypotension (ACC/AHA 2022) - Negative_inotropes_AVOID (ESC 2021) - Diuretics_AVOID_pre_perfusion_restoration (ESC 2021) - Milrinone_renal_dose_required (DOREMI, Mathew NEJM 2021 PMID 34347952) - LV_only_Impella_AVOID_in_RV_predominant_CS (ESC 2021 HF Guidelines) - Routine_epinephrine_AVOID_increases_lactate (OptimaCC, Levy JACC 2018 PMID 29976291) - Routine_VA_ECMO_AVOID_in_AMI_CS_no_30d_benefit (ECLS SHOCK Thiele NEJM 2023 PMID 37634145) - Routine_IABP_AVOID_no_mortality_benefit (IABP SHOCK II Thiele NEJM 2012 PMID 22920912 + 6 yr 30586721)
Monitoring
Regimen monitoring: - arterial line continuous BP (ACC/AHA 2022 Class I) - central venous access (ACC/AHA 2022) - lactate q1-2h (CardShock, Harjola EHJ 2015) - UOP hourly (SCAI 2019 end-organ perfusion marker) - mixed venous O2 if PA cath in place (ACC/AHA 2022) - echo at baseline then q24h (ESC 2021) - serial troponin BNP (ACC/AHA 2022) - CT imaging if PE or dissection suspected (ACC/AHA 2022) Setting (outpatient) monitoring: - Weight log review weekly via patient portal or call (STRONG-HF) - BMP at next visit (week 3) — earlier if eGFR borderline or K trending up - NT-proBNP if symptoms recur Monitoring phase: A-line, central line, lactate clearance, urine output, mixed venous if PA cath (ACC/AHA 2022 HF Guideline)
Disposition
Current setting: outpatient — Bridge encounter at 1-week post-discharge (the STRONG-HF anchor visit) — confirm euvolemia maintained, complete unfinished GDMT initiation, screen for early CS recurrence signals, set the biweekly titration trajectory; advanced-HF eval if persistent LV dysfunction Disposition criteria: - Confirm continuation in transition setting (next biweekly visit week 3) — formal handoff to cardio.hf.core.v1 occurs when all 4 GDMT pillars titrated to max-tolerated dose AND euvolemia maintained ≥4 weeks (per STRONG-HF post-trial cadence) Escalation triggers (move to higher acuity): - Weight gain ≥3 lb in 24 h or ≥5 lb in 1 week → diuretic titration per protocol or ED (ACC/AHA 2022) - Symptomatic hypotension after ARNI up-titration → hold next dose, recheck in 1 week - K rising >5.5 → hold MRA first, consider K binder - Recurrent shock symptoms (orthostasis + AMS + oliguria) → ED + MCS-capable hub (SCAI 2022) - NYHA worsening to III+ → expedite cardiology re-evaluation (ACC/AHA 2022 Class I)
Earlier-Return Triggers
Return-precaution thresholds (watch for): - [LIFE_THREATENING] Lactate rising on max NE + dobutamine OR cardiac arrest (SCAI 2019 Stage D/E, Baran et al) - [LIFE_THREATENING] CS within 24 h of STEMI / NSTE-ACS (SHOCK trial, Hochman NEJM 1999) - [LIFE_THREATENING] Acute MR / VSR / free-wall rupture causing shock (ACC/AHA 2022)
Citations
- SCAI Cardiogenic Shock Classification 2022 (Naidu JACC 2022, PMID 35115207) + AHA Cardiogenic Shock Scientific Statement 2017 (van Diepen Circulation 2017, PMID 28923988) + 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA HF Guideline (Heidenreich Circulation 2022, PMID 35363499) + ESC HF Guideline 2021 (McDonagh EHJ 2021, PMID 34447992) [PMID:35115207](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35115207/) - Cited evidence (PMID 31104355) [PMID:31104355](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31104355/) - Cited evidence (PMID 28923988) [PMID:28923988](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28923988/) - Cited evidence (PMID 10460813) [PMID:10460813](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10460813/) - Cited evidence (PMID 29083953) [PMID:29083953](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29083953/) Last reconciled with current guidelines: 2026-05-14.
- SCAI Cardiogenic Shock Classification 2022 (Naidu JACC 2022, PMID 35115207) + AHA Cardiogenic Shock Scientific Statement 2017 (van Diepen Circulation 2017, PMID 28923988) + 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA HF Guideline (Heidenreich Circulation 2022, PMID 35363499) + ESC HF Guideline 2021 (McDonagh EHJ 2021, PMID 34447992) — PMID:35115207
- Cited evidence (PMID 31104355) — PMID:31104355
- Cited evidence (PMID 28923988) — PMID:28923988
- Cited evidence (PMID 10460813) — PMID:10460813
- Cited evidence (PMID 29083953) — PMID:29083953