ABOUT EURO SHOCK

EURO SHOCK at a glance

EURO SHOCK unites the foremost medical doctors in Europe in their efforts to improve treatment for patients suffering a cardiogenic shock. This condition may follow as a result of a heart failure  when the heart pump set out and oxygenation stops.

The project is determined to become a bench-mark study on one of the few last challenges in the field of cardiovascular science. The ambition for EURO SHOCK is nothing less than to reduce the mortality associated with cardiogenic shock and bring new hope to patients.

OBJECTIVES

To prevent that a heart attack develops into a cardiogenic shock, EURO SHOCK doctors systematically test the early use of a mechanical support device which oxygenates the blood of the patient. Preliminary scientific studies have shown that the heart – when suffering a heart attack – can benefit from the support of an extracorporeal mechanical oxygenation machine (ECMO). This machine essentially lends the heart the support it needs to recover. EURO SHOCK doctors hope that this new treatment will help increase life chances of patients with cardiogenic shock. The new study aims, not only at improving outcomes for patients suffering a cardiogenic shock, but will also use results of EURO SHOCK to improve the guidelines at all European hospitals.

The project started in January 2018. Recruitment of patients started in October 2019.

BACKGROUND

Cardio-vascular diseases are one of the biggest threats to public health in Europe. Every year, across the European Union, more than 4 million people lose their lives due to heart failure. Accounting for more than 45% of all deaths, this type of disease is estimated to costs the European economy €210 billion a year. Acute myocardial infractions, also more commonly known as heart attacks, evolve in 12% of all cases into a cardiogenic shock. It is estimated that more than 50,000 people are diagnosed with cardiogenic shock every year across Europe. Cardiogenic shock is a condition occurring when the degree of heart muscle injury leads to a heart pump failure and the supply of oxygen to vital organs is compromised. Despite high mortality rates and immense health care expenses, little research has been conducted to improve treatment procedures and current interventions show little impact on the outcomes. EURO SHOCK has been initiated by leading European medical doctors to change this and bring hope to patients suffering a cardiogenic shock.