Question:medium

What is the cause of cardiogenic (myocardial) shock other than acute myocardial infarction?

Show Hint

Mechanical complications and right-heart failure all cause pump shock, not just MI.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Acute mitral regurgitation
  • Ventricular septal rupture
  • Isolated right ventricular shock
  • All of the above
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Read the stem carefully - it asks for causes of pump (myocardial) shock apart from a heart attack, so we must judge each option on whether it can independently drop cardiac output enough to cause shock.
Step 2: Option a, acute mitral regurgitation: a torn or dysfunctional papillary muscle lets blood leak back into the left atrium, so forward output collapses. Valid cause.
Step 3: Option b, ventricular septal rupture: a hole in the septum diverts blood from left to right ventricle, wasting stroke volume and starving the systemic circulation. Valid cause.
Step 4: Option c, isolated right ventricular shock: when the right ventricle fails it cannot fill the lungs and hence the left heart, so systemic output falls. Valid cause.
Step 5: Since each of the three is individually a true non-MI cause of cardiogenic shock, no single option can be the best answer; the inclusive choice is correct.\[\boxed{\text{All of the above}}\]
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