- A clinical syndrome characterised by inadequate organ
perfusion and tissue oxygenation due to an imbalance between
oxygen delivery and tissue oxygen demand. - Commonly diagnosed
when signs of hypoperfusion are associated with low or declining
BP. - It may result from a number of disease processes,
including pump failure (cardiogenic), loss of intravascular
volume (hypovolaemic), failure of vasoregulation (distributive),
or obstruction to blood flow (obstructive). - Initial treatment
aims to optimise oxygen delivery and reverse hypoperfusion
through volume resuscitation, vasopressors for refractory
hypotension due to vasodilation, management of cardiac
dysfunction, and treatment of the underlying cause. - Management
of shock is best undertaken in a critical care environment.
Other related conditions - Acute pancreatitis - Assessment of
shock - Pulmonary embolism - Cardiac arrest - Assessment of
upper gastrointestinal bleeding - Assessment of lower
gastrointestinal bleeding - Abdominal aortic aneurysm - Asses