Cardiogenic Shock Program Continues to Achieve Outstanding Results

Behnam Tehrani, MD Co-Director, Cardiogenic Shock Program, IHVI Co-Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus Alexander Truesdell, MD Co-Director, Cardiogenic Shock Program Cardiogenic shock has long been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. It was not until the landmark SHOCK trial in 1999 that survival increased from 20 percent to 50 percent through early revascularization. Since then, however, no further improvements in short-term outcomes have been realized. In July 2016, physician leaders at IHVI reviewed the health system’s cardiogenic shock outcomes and noted similar findings, which were in line with national benchmarks. In January 2017, we launched IHVI’s multidisciplinary cardiogenic shock program, which uses a standardized and team-based approach for management of these complex patients. Since the advent of the program, outcomes have improved significantly, with survival to discharge rates that have increased from 47 percent to 73 percent, which is among the best rates nationwide. IHVI is fortunate to have a wide range of subspecialty expertise relevant to cardiogenic shock, including interventional cardiology, advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology, cardiac critical care, and cardiac surgery. The institute established a one-call shock line and standardized algorithm that convenes the team members for real-time decision making that is evidence based and patient centered. "Not only have we achieved excellent outcomes, but we’ve done it in a sustained fashion," said interventional cardiologist Behnam Tehrani, MD, Co-Director of IHVI’s Cardiogenic Shock Program and of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus "Our program is viewed nationally and internationally as a model shock program of excellence, because of the commitment and clinical excellence of all of our team members.” – Behnam Tehrani, MD IHVI has now disseminated this cardiogenic shock protocol to all hospitals across Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland, giving dozens of local facilities access to IHVI’s world-leading expertise. IHVI is further expanding its work in cardiogenic shock by launching a four-site registry of programs with dedicated cardiogenic shock teams, including the University of Toronto, the University of Utah and Sentara Health. This registry will pave the way for further advancements in cardiogenic shock outcomes. "We plan to expand our research collaborations by partnering with other sites with dedicated multidisciplinary shock programs to better understand this complex and frail patient population," Dr. Tehrani said. “Over time, this will drive further improvements in knowledge and outcomes." Learn more about cardiogenic shock Patient Transfers One Call 24/7 I Adult: 703-776-5905 I Pediatric: 877-900-9543 Direct Admission • Transfer • Specialized Transport