The American journal of medicine
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Cardiogenic shock is usually characterized by inadequate cardiac output and sustained hypotension. However, following a large myocardial infarction, peripheral hypoperfusion can occur with relatively well maintained systolic blood pressure, a condition known as nonhypotensive cardiogenic shock. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with this condition. ⋯ Even in the presence of normal blood pressure, clinical signs of peripheral hypoperfusion, which may be subtle, are associated with a substantial risk of in-hospital death following acute myocardial infarction.