Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a serious complication of myocardial infarction and is one of its main causes of death.1 Its incidence ranges between 6% and 12% and it is associated with 40%-50% mortality despite myocardial revascularization and the use of mechanical ventricular supports.2 The information about the characteristics and evolution of patients with CS in the context of acute coronary syndromes is derived mostly from registries from other countries and published data in our country is dated more than 5 years ago.3

The ARGEN-IAM-ST Registry is a continuous, nationwide registry of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), organized by the Argentine Society of Cardiology (SAC) and the Argentine Federation of Cardiology (FAC), which has currently enrolled more than 6200 patients This registry enables the opportunity to assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics and in-hospital evolution of patients who presented CS complicating an acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study is (1) To know the clinical characteristics and evolution of patients with CS who were included in the ARGEN-IAM-ST Registry. (2) To establish predictors for the development of shock. (3) To describe the clinical characteristics and evolution of patients with early vs late shock. (4) To find predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients without mechanical complications.