Intensive care physicians around the nation are pivotal in improving shock-related patient outcomes. At present time, there is still a dearth of available dual-boarded cardiology and intensive care physicians around the country, and advanced heart failure fellowship positions continue to be unfilled in the NRMP match. Most intensive care units (academic and nonacademic) are currently managed by intensive care physicians, and a large majority of these physicians are either pulmonary/critical care, emergency medicine critical care, surgery critical care, or medicine/critical care.

There is lack of systematic training in cardiogenic shock across the board in these specialties as it relates to management of patients supported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), percutaneous devices, and intermediate devices such as centrimag devices.

By integrating comprehensive systematic training on cardiogenic shock recognition and management into educational initiatives, fellowship programs that are noncardiology-based can empower health care providers to make informed decisions and expedite life-saving interventions for patients in need of advanced cardiac support. Furthermore, the next generation of intensive care physicians may require ongoing education in the cardiac space, including additional training in point-of-care ultrasound, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and advanced hemodynamics, including management of alarms related to percutaneous and durable devices. Through continuous education and training both at conferences and at the simulation center in Glenview, Illinois, CHEST is especially suited to aid intensive care physicians to navigate the evolving landscape of mechanical circulatory support critical care and improve outcomes for patients in need of mechanical circulatory support.