After a myocardial infarction, which complication may develop due to pump failure?

After a myocardial infarction, which complication may develop due to pump failure?

• A. Hypovolemic shock
• B. Cardiogenic shock
• C. Septic shock
• D. Anaphylactic shock

Answer: (B)

When the heart muscle is damaged by a myocardial infarction, the ventricles can’t contract effectively, so the heart’s output falls. This pump failure leads to cardiogenic shock, where inadequate forward flow causes systemic hypoperfusion and can produce signs like low blood pressure, cool clammy skin, reduced urine output, and confusion, often with pulmonary edema from the left ventricle backing up blood into the lungs. The other shocks arise from different problems: loss of blood or fluids (hypovolemia), severe infection causing widespread vasodilation (septic shock), or a severe allergic reaction with vasodilation and airway issues (anaphylactic shock). Only the pump failure from the MI results in cardiogenic shock.

When the heart muscle is damaged by a myocardial infarction, the ventricles can’t contract effectively, so the heart’s output falls. This pump failure leads to cardiogenic shock, where inadequate forward flow causes systemic hypoperfusion and can produce signs like low blood pressure, cool clammy skin, reduced urine output, and confusion, often with pulmonary edema from the left ventricle backing up blood into the lungs. The other shocks arise from different problems: loss of blood or fluids (hypovolemia), severe infection causing widespread vasodilation (septic shock), or a severe allergic reaction with vasodilation and airway issues (anaphylactic shock). Only the pump failure from the MI results in cardiogenic shock.