We sought to assess the microbiologic profile of patients with suspected sepsis who participated in the SHould we emergently revascularize Occluded Coronaries in cardiogenic shocK? (SHOCK) trial, a randomized controlled trial of early coronary revascularization in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction. A protocol-mandated SEPSIS form was completed prospectively for 54 patients (18%) with fever or leukocytosis suggestive of sepsis. These patients were divided further into those with positive (n = 40) or negative (n = 14) culture results. The predominant pathogen isolated in patients with positive culture results was Staphylococcus aureus (32%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Patients with both positive and negative culture results had longer median durations of mechanical ventilation (p <0.001 and p = 0.02), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support (p = 0.074 and p = 0.021), and hospital stay (p <0.001 and p = 0.048) than controls. Sepsis was predicted by both duration of IABP support (p = 0.007) and use of multiple central catheters (p = 0.026). In conclusion, clinical sepsis is common after cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction, particularly in patients who received prolonged IABP support or had multiple central catheters.