Which measure is characteristic of cardiogenic shock?

In cardiogenic shock, the heart's ability to pump blood effectively is severely compromised, leading to a cascade of physiological changes. One of the hallmark features of this condition is increased systemic vascular resistance. This occurs as the body attempts to maintain adequate perfusion to vital organs despite the reduced cardiac output.

When the heart is unable to pump effectively, compensatory mechanisms are triggered, including vasoconstriction. The body releases catecholamines, which increase systemic vascular resistance in an effort to shunt blood to critical areas and maintain blood pressure. This response is crucial because the impaired heart function means that the body must rely on increasing vascular resistance to optimize blood flow and preserve organ function.

In contrast, high cardiac output would not be characteristic of cardiogenic shock, as the fundamental problem in this condition is a decrease in cardiac output due to myocardial dysfunction. Decreased right atrial pressure is also inconsistent with cardiogenic shock, as fluid backlogs can lead to elevated pressures in the heart. Lastly, decreased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure would not be expected; rather, elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure often indicates fluid overload and congestion seen in heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Thus, increased systemic vascular resistance reflects the body's compensatory mechanism in the context of impaired heart functionality