Medical Care in Cardiogenic Shock

In this work, we discuss the fundamentals of mechanical circulatory support—Impella®, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), and venoarterial and venovenous ECMO—devices that buy precious time for definitive interventions. They represent the transition from pharmacological support to an era of mechanical bridge therapies, whether for recovery, decision-making, or transplantation.