Surviving Pediatric Cardiogenic Shock: Clinical Approach, Improving Outcomes, and Future Directions
Updated: August 06, 2026
- This scientific statement defines and frames pediatric cardiogenic shock (CS), a condition associated with up to 25% mortality, as well as substantial morbidity including mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest, renal replacement therapy, and liver failure. Progress has been limited by inconsistent definitions and practice variability.
- The statement proposes a standardized definition of pediatric CS, aligned with adult frameworks: known or suspected cardiac dysfunction resulting in clinical and/or biochemical evidence of tissue hypoperfusion, indicated by ≥1 of the following: cool extremities, lactate >2 mmol/L, abnormal hepatic or renal function, irritability, or altered mentation.
- Future priorities include broad adoption of consensus definitions and staging, deep phenotypic characterization, validation of biomarkers for risk stratification, and development of integrated clinical algorithms to improve outcomes.