Pathophysiology of cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.

Cardiogenic shock is a rapidly progressive, often fatal complication of acute myocardial infarction. A vicious circle of ischemia, decreased cardiac output and reinfarction progress to left ventricular failure and death. The fundamental pathophysiology of this cascade and other mechanisms beyond the classic paradigm of ischemia and dysfunction are discussed in detail.