Cardiogenic shock kills up to half of heart attack patients: Dr Zubaid
Experts warn of deadly heart complication at cardiovascular shock conference in Kuwait
Dr. Mohammed Zubaid, President of the Gulf Heart Association and Vice President of the Kuwait Heart Association, warned that cardiogenic shock is one of the most dangerous and life-threatening complications of acute heart attacks, with global mortality rates ranging between 40 and 50 percent, despite major advances in treatment and medical technology.
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the Third Conference on Cardiovascular Shock on Saturday, Dr. Zubaid said international statistics indicate that cardiogenic shock affects 3 to 10 percent of heart attack patients worldwide, stressing that cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally.
He noted that medical records in the Gulf region show that around 4 percent of patients with acute heart attacks develop cardiogenic shock, with in-hospital mortality rates reaching approximately 45 percent, reflecting the severity of this critical condition, reports Al-Rai daily.
Dr. Zubaid revealed that a recent study conducted by the Kuwait Heart Association recorded more than 300 cases of cardiogenic shock in Kuwait within a single year, all associated with heart attacks.
“Unfortunately, the mortality rate in these cases reached about 50 percent, despite rapid medical intervention and the application of advanced treatment protocols, including emergency cardiac catheterization and mechanical heart support devices,” he said.
He stressed that these figures highlight the urgent need to raise medical and public awareness, improve early diagnosis, and continue developing treatment protocols to enhance patient survival rates. “This underlines the importance of specialized scientific conferences to exchange expertise and discuss the latest developments in managing this condition,” he added.
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Al-Kharaza, Consultant in Cardiology and Interventional Catheterization at Al-Dabbous Heart Center and Media Officer of the Conference, said Kuwait’s hosting of the event comes as part of a continuing series of specialized scientific meetings, following the first edition in Dubai in 2024 and the second in Riyadh in 2025.
He explained that the conference was organized by the Kuwaiti and Gulf Heart Associations, in cooperation with the American Society for Cardiac Catheterization and Interventions, with the aim of discussing the latest scientific advances and treatment protocols in cardiogenic shock, as well as promoting the exchange of international expertise to improve care quality and reduce mortality rates.
Dr. Fahd Al-Hajri, Consultant Cardiologist and Interventional Catheterization Specialist at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital and Head of the Conference’s Scientific Committee, said the program included specialized workshops and interactive sessions focusing on early diagnosis, advanced hemodynamics, and mechanical circulatory support techniques, including ECMO and Impella devices.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdullah Ismail, Head of the Cardiology Department at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, said the conference provided a valuable platform to strengthen regional and international cooperation and enhance integration between medical specialties in the care of critically ill heart patients.
