Mechanical circulatory support devices provide hemodynamic support to patients who present with cardiogenic shock. These devices work using different mechanisms to provide univentricular or biventricular support. There is a growing body of evidence supporting use of these devices as a goal for cardiac recovery or as a bridge to definitive therapy, but definitive, well-powered studies are still needed. Mechanical circulatory support devices are increasingly used using shock team and protocols, which can help clinicians in decision making, balancing operator and institutional experience and expertise. The aim of this article is to review commercially available mechanical circulatory support devices, their profiles and mechanisms of action, and the evidence available regarding their use.

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Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Differentiating the etiologic factors driving CS has epidemiological significance and aids in optimization of therapeutic strategies, prognostication, and resource utilization. The aim herein is to investigate the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of CS in those with ischemic and nonischemic CS etiologies. Using International Classification of Diseases codes, we queried the national inpatient sample for CS hospitalization from 2007 to 2018 and divided the study sample into cohorts of ischemic (I-CS) and nonischemic cardiogenic shock (NI-CS). We then compared the primary outcome of in-hospital mortality between these 2 cohorts. Two groups of secondary outcomes (clinical and procedural) were also assessed between the 2 cohorts. CS was present in 557,860 hospitalizations; 84% of these were I-CS and 15.8% NI-CS. Patients with I-CS were older, more commonly males, with more risk factors for coronary artery disease (P < 0.05). NI-CS had higher prevalence of preexisting systolic heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with I-CS (32.2% vs. 29.5%, adjusted odds ratio 1.10, P < 0.001). Frequencies of acute ischemic stroke, mechanical ventilation, ventricular arrhythmias, and vascular complications were higher in I-CS versus NI-CS, while acute kidney injury and acute liver failure were more common in NI-CS (P < 0.05). The use of mechanical circulatory support devices was higher in the I-CS group. In conclusion, patients with I-CS comprise the vast majority of CS and are associated with higher mortality and higher resource utilization. Conversely, patients with NI-CS appear to have higher survival but with a higher prevalence of end-organ dysfunction.

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Quinidine is one of the oldest antiarrhythmics known. Over the years, its use has decreased along with its side effects. Our case describes a 69-year-old woman with recurrent resistant ventricular tachycardia on Quinidine and Amiodarone who presented with acute liver toxicity. Drug-induced liver toxicity was at the top of our differential diagnosis list. Taking multiple factors into consideration, a decision was made to discontinue Quinidine, the patient’s symptoms and lab abnormalities resolved within 1 week, yielding the diagnosis of Quinidine hypersensitivity.