Cardiology MCQ – Classic cardiogenic shock – Answer

Cardiology MCQ – Classic cardiogenic shock – Answer

“Classic” cardiogenic shock having hypotension with features of hypoperfusion, needing inotropes and mechanical circulatory support comes under Stage — of the 2019 SCAI (Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention) classification:

Correct answer: 3. Stage C

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) has classified cardiogenic shock into stages from A through E.

Stage A: “At risk” for cardiogenic shock – large myocardial infarction or heart failure, but not yet in shock, with normal mentation and systolic blood pressure of 100 mm Hg or more.

Stage B: “Beginning” shock – hypotension or tachycardia without features of hypoperfusion (normal mentation). Systolic BP < 90, mean arterial pressure (MAP) <60 or 30 mm Hg fall in BP.

Stage C: “Classic” cardiogenic shock – has hypotension with features of hypoperfusion, needing inotropes and mechanical circulatory support.

Stage D: “Deteriorating” – needs multiple inotropes or mechanical circulatory support to maintain perfusion. Initial interventions have failed.

Stage E: “Extremis” – in cardiac arrest with ongoing CPR or ECMO support, nearly pulseless, hypotension despite maximal support.

More detailed description is available in the SCAI statement (Free Full Text).

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Reference

1. Baran DA, Grines CL, Bailey S, Burkhoff D, Hall SA, Henry TD, Hollenberg SM, Kapur NK, O’Neill W, Ornato JP, Stelling K, Thiele H, van Diepen S, Naidu SS. SCAI clinical expert consensus statement on the classification of cardiogenic shock: This document was endorsed by the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in April 2019. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2019 Jul 1;94(1):29-37.