Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Investigators and physicians affiliated with the Sarver Heart Center are advancing research, education, and multidisciplinary collaboration to improve the understanding and management of this complex cardiovascular emergency.
The Cardiogenic Shock Program brings together expertise in advanced heart failure, interventional cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, critical care, cardiovascular imaging, mechanical circulatory support, and translational science. Through collaborative research and educational initiatives, the program seeks to improve patient outcomes while advancing the science of cardiovascular critical care.
Research
Our robust clinical and translational research program includes:
- Institutional Cardiogenic Shock Registry
- Institutional research grants supporting cardiogenic shock research
- Participation in multicenter studies of cardiogenic shock and mechanical circulatory support
- Extensive publication history in the medical and surgical management of cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest
- Dedicated divisional data scientist supporting analytics and outcomes research
- Formal Myocardial Recovery Program
Translational Research
- Transcriptome analysis in patients with cardiogenic shock undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
- Platelet biology and anticoagulation during cardiogenic shock and mechanical circulatory support using human and animal models
- Large-animal models of cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest, including mechanical circulatory support with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) and Impella
- Investigation of novel surgical therapies and devices for cardiogenic shock
Clinical Research
- Bridging strategies for patients with cardiogenic shock
- The intervention-to-outcome gap in cardiogenic shock
- Risk stratification
- Biomarkers and precision medicine
- Early identification of cardiogenic shock using machine learning
- Multiorgan dysfunction in cardiogenic shock
Clinical Program
In partnership with Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, the Cardiogenic Shock Program includes:
- 24/7 cardiogenic shock response team
- Expedited pathways for interhospital transfers
- Hospital-based cardiogenic shock protocols with defined escalation criteria
- Multidisciplinary management involving advanced heart failure cardiology, interventional cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, pulmonary and critical care, cardiac anesthesia, pharmacy, perfusion, and mechanical circulatory support specialists
- Dedicated cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) team with 24/7 in-house critical care physician coverage
- Short- and long-term mechanical circulatory support options, including Impella CP, Impella 5.5, VA ECMO, CentriMag, durable LVAD, and heart transplant evaluation
- Mobile ECMO transport
- ELSO Gold Center of Excellence designation
- Extracorporeal CPR (ECPR) program in collaboration with EMS and emergency medicine
- Clinical dashboards that track quality metrics and outcomes, supported by regular morbidity and mortality conferences
Education
The Cardiogenic Shock Program provides education and hands-on training for fellows and trainees in cardiology, pulmonary and critical care medicine, and anesthesiology, with a focus on cardiogenic shock and mechanical circulatory support.
Educational activities include:
- Hands-on training for interventional cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery fellows in ECMO cannulation and management
- Ongoing education for hospital staff in shock recognition, patient management, and mechanical circulatory support devices
- Educational outreach for referring physicians and hospitals, including assistance with developing local and regional cardiogenic shock programs
Program Leadership
The Cardiogenic Shock Program is led by Deepak Acharya, MD, MSPH, MBA, professor of medicine and an internationally recognized investigator in advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock. His research focuses on mechanical circulatory support, myocardial recovery, precision medicine, and outcomes research in critically ill cardiovascular patients.
Dr. Acharya's work includes investigator-initiated registries, translational research, multicenter clinical studies, and the development of innovative approaches to risk stratification and cardiovascular critical care. Under his leadership, the program continues to expand the Sarver Heart Center's research enterprise while creating unique educational opportunities for cardiovascular fellows and trainees.
Referrals
The Cardiogenic Shock Program is conducted in collaboration with Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.
Physicians seeking additional information or consultation regarding cardiogenic shock, mechanical circulatory support, or advanced heart failure evaluation may contact:
Banner – University Medical Center Tucson
Phone: 520-694-3278