Cardiogenic Shock Beyond The Neonatal Period

Neonatal cardiac emergencies, as reviewed in this journal, are frequently ductal-dependent structural heart lesions. Although there is slight overlap (less so in older infants), cardiac emergencies outside the neonatal period typically result in shock as a common denominator rather than hypercyanosis. Aborted sudden cardiac death is usually an arrhythmia-related problem—as also reviewed in this journal—although there can be overlap between sudden cardiac death, arrhythmias, and shock. The goal of this review is to make the emergency care provider more aware in the cardiac causes of shock and to review the latest evaluation and management strategies as well as triage decisions and the timely involvement of the cardiology consultant.