Improving Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock Through Enhanced Systems of Care and Hemodynamic Support Strategies

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a clinical syndrome characterised by cardiac dysfunction and consequent end-organ hypoperfusion in the presence of normal or elevated cardiac filling pressures. Despite advances in the interventions available for use in this cohort of patients, there remains an unacceptably high-risk of significant morbidity, and both short and long-term mortality. This thesis seeks to explore these fundamental aspects of CS management through two key domains of study; first, a series of studies assessing the epidemillogy and outcomes of cardiogenic shock; and, the second domain of study has focused on the hemodynamic support strategies utilized for patients with CS.