Cardiogenic shock (CS) is the most severe form of acute heart failure, with in-hospital mortality up to 50%. Failure to improve mortality has been reported, despite observed improvements in hemodynamics. Previous studies on CS have almost exclusively been focused on CS following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Chronic heart failure patients with acute decompensation (ADHF) and CS represent a unique physiologic phenotype compared with ACS patients, which may lead to a differential response to device therapy. Recent evidences emphasize that intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is not recommended for patients with ACS-related CS, but it is associated with a high likelihood of bridge to durable Left Ventricular Assist Device or heart transplant without the need for escalation to more potent temporary mechanical circulatory support devices, when implanted in ADHF patients. Data retrieved from the available literature in the setting of patients with CS not related to ACS are poor even in large, well-reported registries.~Accordingly, Altshock-2 trial has been designed to test the superiority of early IABP implantation at admission over local clinical practice (pharmacological only) in ADHF patients with CS, with respect to 60-day survival or successful bridge to heart replacement therapies
The aim of the study is to demonstrate the superiority of early intra-aortic balloon pump implantation at admission over local clinical practice (pharmacological only) in acute decompensated heart failure patients with cardiogenic shock, with respect to 60-day survival or successful bridge to heart replacement therapies (heart transplant or Left Ventricular Assist Device implantation).