Shutterstock The National Cardiogenic Shock Initiative report says early use of mechanical assistance to support the heart before opening arteries to treat cardiogenic shock can improve outcomes. Cardiogenic shock occurs when your heart suddenly fails to pump enough blood for your vital organs. It’s the leading cause of death in heart attack patients. New study results show using a special heart pump early when treating cardiogenic shock greatly increases the chance of survival. KERA’s Sam Baker talked about this type of mechanical assistance with Dr. James Park, an interventional cardiologist with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS: