Cardiogenic shock secondary to ischemic heart disease is associated with a high mortality rate, and recent trials have established the benefit of an early invasive approach. However, the role of adjunctive abciximab and stenting for cardiogenic shock has not been established. We prospectively examined collected data from 96 consecutive patients who underwent emergent percutaneous coronary intervention for cardiogenic shock over the past 7 years. Patients were classified as receiving stent plus abciximab, stent alone, percutaneous transluminal coronary angiopplasty (PTCA) plus abciximab, or PTCA alone. Baseline characteristics of the 4 groups were similar. During 2.5 years of follow-up, the mortality rates for stent plus abciximab, stent only, PTCA plus abciximab, and PTCA alone were 33%, 43%, 61%, and 68%, respectively (log-rank p = 0.028). Achievement of postprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow was higher with stent plus abciximab than with the other interventions (85% vs 65%, p = 0.048). By multivariate analysis, absence of stent use (hazard ratio 2.58, 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 4.90, p = 0.004) and left ventricular ejection function </=30% (hazard ratio 3.89, 95% confidence interval 1.53 to 9.87, p = 0.004) were independent predictors for mortality during 2.5 years of follow-up. In conclusion, treatment with the combination of stent and abciximab resulted in higher procedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 3 flow rates and a long-term mortality benefit in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.