Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Admitted in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit with Cardiogenic Shock: A Single-Center Study.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a life threatening condition marked by inadequate tissue perfusion due to impaired cardiac output. Despite advances in diagnosis and management, mortality remains unacceptably high.

Objective: This prospective, single-center observational study aimed to characterize the clinical profile, management strategies, and short- and long-term outcomes of patients with CS.

Methods: Seventy patients (SCAI stages B-E) admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) of a tertiary university hospital over a 24-month period were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and biochemical data were collected. The primary outcomes were in-hospital, 1-month, and 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS), mechanical ventilation (MV), and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Results: Acute myocardial infarction-related CS (AMI-CS) and heart failure-related CS (HF-CS) accounted for 64% of cases. The overall in-hospital mortality was 49%. SCAI stage C was independently associated with higher mortality at all time points compared with stage B. Key predictors of mortality included higher SCAI stage, elevated lactate and creatinine levels, and reduced cardiac output. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use was more frequent in AMI-CS.

Conclusions: CS continues to be associated with poor prognosis, particularly in patients with higher SCAI stages. Standardized clinical pathways and national registries are urgently needed to guide evidence-based and resource-appropriate care.