Endotoxin role in cardiogenic shock: A brief report.

In chronic hypoperfusion settings, such as chronic heart failure (CHF), bowel dysfunction and a related higher intestinal permeability have already been demonstrated. It has been reported that in CHF, cardiac output decreases and CHF-associated gut mucosal edema compromises gut function, leading to the translocation of endotoxin and gut bacteria [1] and [2]. There is a lack of data about bowel permeability behavior in an acute hypoperfusion setting, as cardiogenic shock (CS) following ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).