Cardiogenic shock: to pump or not to pump?

Abstract
Cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction still has a grim prognosis, with a mortality rate of ∼50%.1,2 Over the last 10 years a steady reduction in mortality has been observed, which is mainly attributed to the increase of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for reperfusion.3 Another method considered to improve mortality is the use of intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) for mechanical assistance, with a class IC recommendation in the current European Society of Cardiology guidelines and a class IB recommendation in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines.4,5

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