What defines cardiogenic shock?

Cardiogenic shock is primarily defined by the heart's inability to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs, despite adequate blood volume. This condition typically arises from severe heart problems, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), where the heart's ability to contract effectively is compromised. As a result, even though the volume of blood in the body may be normal or increased, the heart fails to deliver enough blood to the organs, leading to inadequate tissue perfusion and resultant organ dysfunction. This is distinct from other conditions like hypovolemic shock, which is caused by a reduction in blood volume due to bleeding or dehydration. Understanding the critical nature of the pumping mechanism of the heart helps illustrate why inadequate pumping is central to the definition of cardiogenic shock.