Which of the following mechanical supports may be used in cardiogenic shock according to the material?

Which of the following mechanical supports may be used in cardiogenic shock according to the material?

• A. Dialysis
• B. ECMO
• C. Insulin
• D. Antibiotics

Answer: (B)

In cardiogenic shock the heart can’t pump enough blood to sustain adequate perfusion, so temporary mechanical circulatory support may be needed to bridge the patient to recovery. ECMO, specifically venoarterial ECMO, does exactly this by diverting venous blood, oxygenating it, and returning it to the arterial system, effectively taking over part of the heart’s pumping and reducing workload while restoring systemic perfusion. This provides time to treat the underlying cause, such as myocardial dysfunction or support during severe failure. Dialysis serves kidney support and helps manage fluid and waste when the kidneys aren’t working well, but it doesn’t provide cardiac pumping support. Insulin is for glucose control, and antibiotics treat infection; neither provides mechanical circulatory relief.

In cardiogenic shock the heart can’t pump enough blood to sustain adequate perfusion, so temporary mechanical circulatory support may be needed to bridge the patient to recovery. ECMO, specifically venoarterial ECMO, does exactly this by diverting venous blood, oxygenating it, and returning it to the arterial system, effectively taking over part of the heart’s pumping and reducing workload while restoring systemic perfusion. This provides time to treat the underlying cause, such as myocardial dysfunction or support during severe failure.

Dialysis serves kidney support and helps manage fluid and waste when the kidneys aren’t working well, but it doesn’t provide cardiac pumping support. Insulin is for glucose control, and antibiotics treat infection; neither provides mechanical circulatory relief.