El choque cardiogénico es la principal causa de muerte entre los pacientes que presentan un sindrome coronario agudo. Se presenta una revision histórica y conceptos fisiológicos y fisiopatológicos de esta condición clínica que son la base para su abordaje terapéutico, principalmente la revasculrización de emergencia con angioplastia o cirugía.

Palabras clave: choque cardiogénico, infarto agudo miocardio, angioplastía, cirugía de bypass coronario.

Cardiogenic shock is the major cause of death among patients with acute coronary syndrome. The history as well as physiologic and pathophysiologic analysis of this clinical condition, based on its therapeutic management, are presented. This management predominantly involves urgent coronary angioplasty/stent placement or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Keywords: cardiogenic shock, acute myocardial infarction, angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft.