CARDIOGENIC-SHOCK

The pathophysiology of cardiogenic shock in infants and children is mu ltifactorial and include noncardiac as well as cardiac etiologies, bot h congenital and acquired heart disease. The management of patients in cardiogenic shock requires a rational approach that is based upon the underlying pathophysiology, The diagnosis and management of cardiogen ic shock, therefore, requires a thorough understanding of not only the underlying pathophysiology, but also the diagnostic modalities used i n making the diagnosis, In the pediatric population, echocardiography plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of infants and ch ildren presenting with cardiogenic shock. In this article, the pathoph ysiology of cardiogenic shock and the use of echocardiography in reach ing a differential diagnosis are discussed. In addition, the managemen t of cardiogenic shock is reviewed.