Hosts Mitsuaki Sawano, MD, and co-host Satoshi Shoji, MD, welcome regional associate editor Kentaro Ejiri, MD, for his debut appearance on the JACC: Baran Journal Club. Dr. Ejiri presents insights on the Altshock-2 trial, a pivotal randomized controlled trial evaluating early intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support in heart failure-related cardiogenic shock (HF-CS). The discussion covers the trial's clinical relevance, key challenges, and the implications of its findings within the Japanese healthcare context. The episode also delves into evolving definitions of cardiogenic shock, trial methodology, and the potential for Altshock-2 to inform more individualized treatment approaches in Japan.