Which type of shock is indicated by heart failure and reduced cardiac output?

Cardiogenic shock is characterized primarily by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, leading to heart failure and reduced cardiac output. In this condition, the heart's muscular function is compromised, which directly impacts the circulatory system's ability to deliver sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs. This can occur due to various factors such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), severe heart failure, or cardiomyopathy.

Unlike other types of shock, which have different mechanisms of failure, cardiogenic shock specifically highlights the failure of the heart itself as the primary issue. In hypovolemic shock, there isn't enough blood volume, which leads to a reduction in perfusion; in distributive shock, blood vessels lose their tone and cause abnormal distribution of blood; and in obstructive shock, blood flow is physically obstructed, such as with a pulmonary embolism. Therefore, the defining characteristics of cardiogenic shock—particularly the heart's failure to pump effectively and the resultant decrease in cardiac output—accurately align with the description given.