Building on last week’s introduction to heart failure, this episode explores the nuances in the medical management of cardiogenic shock. Host Sarah Lorenzini and Christian Guzman APRN continue this three-part heart failure series by completing the case study of a patient in cardiogenic shock, and breaking down key treatment concepts and strategies.

They discuss goal-directed therapy to optimize heart function, with a specific focus on the vital aspects of contractility, afterload, and preload, and their pivotal roles in patient care. As their conversation progresses, they delve into the use of medical interventions, covering the pros and cons of medications used to treat heart failure at each stage from beginning to extremis.

Christian and Sarah go beyond what you’ll read from textbooks, shedding light on the challenges and clinical decision-making process of heart failure care by sharing real life examples and insights.

Tune in now to learn how to assess patients for cardiogenic shock and manage their care at every stage of heart failure!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The treatment of last week’s patient
• Goal-directed therapy for heart failure
• Methods to increase contractility
• Preload optimization
• The use of inotropes in heart failure management
• Assessing patients for cardiogenic shock
• When to use beta blockers for heart failure
• When to pull the trigger for mechanical circulatory support

Connect with Christian Guzman APRN on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thenerdynursepractitioner/

Watch this episode on The Rapid Response RN YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@therapidresponsern/videos

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