Hemodynamic Support in Cardiogenic Shock in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening, time-sensitive syndrome characterized by clinical and biochemical tissue hypoperfusion caused by circulatory failure secondary to inadequate cardiac output. Inadequate cardiac contractility secondary to acute myocardial infarction appears on the top of the list of the most prevalent etiologies of this syndrome. Despite some advances in its management, this primary cardiac disorder still has an extremely high mortality. In addition to treating the main etiology, immediate hemodynamic support is necessary to reduce the risk of developing multi-organ dysfunction and to preserve cell metabolism, as soon as we suspect it, even when needed in the catheterization laboratory. The cardiac catheterization laboratory has become a pivotal setting for implementing rapid hemodynamic support measures, such as pharmacological interventions and mechanical circulatory support, during critical procedures. Despite inotrope pharmacological treatment, mechanical circulatory support has recently garnered significant interest in this field. The aim of this review is to analyze hemodynamic support in cardiogenic shock in the most common contemporary scenario: the cardiac catheterization laboratory.