Clinical signs of shock include hypotension, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg or a drop of more than 40 mmHg from baseline systolic blood pressure, signs of hypoperfusion such as cyanosis, bluish discoloration of the extremities and mucous membranes, neurological signs such as agitation, confusion, or unconsciousness, and other signs such as tachycardia, elevated heart rate, and sweating. Treatment of shock depends on its underlying cause and may include fluid resuscitation, blood transfusion, oxygen therapy, vasoactive medications, surgical interventions or other therapies depending on the underlying cause. It is important to treat shock promptly to avoid serious complications, such as permanent organ damage or death.

Definition and Meaning

Shock is an acute medical condition characterized by peripheral circulatory failure that results in insufficient oxygen supply to the body's cells. This can cause cell death and disruption of tissues and organs. Clinical signs of shock include low blood pressure, signs of hypoperfusion such as cyanosis, neurological signs such as agitation and unconsciousness, and other signs such as tachycardia and sweating. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include fluid resuscitation, blood transfusion, oxygen therapy, vasoactive drugs, surgical interventions or other therapies.

Signs and symptoms

The most common signs of shock are low blood pressure, which is characterized by a systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mmHg or 30% lower than the usual value in hypertensive victims. Other signs include signs of hypoperfusion such as cyanosis, neurological signs such as agitation and unconsciousness, and other signs such as tachycardia and sweating. There are four grades of shock, ranging from mild to severe.

Causes and their classification

The causes of shock are diverse and can be grouped into three main families

Hypovolemic shock,
- Caused by blood loss or severe dehydration.
Cardiogenic shock,
- Caused by heart failure and relative hypovolemia.
Relative hypovolemia,
- Caused by excessive vasodilation.

There are also specific forms of shock, such as:

neurogenic shock,
anaphylactic shock,
septic shock.

It is important to note that shock is an emergency medical situation that requires immediate intervention to avoid progression to death. It is therefore important to recognize the signs of shock and seek medical assistance immediately.

In a nutshell

Shock is an acute circulatory failure that can be caused by a variety of mechanisms and is characterized by an inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to the body's cells, resulting in cell death and tissue and organ disruption. The most common signs include low blood pressure and signs of hypoperfusion, such as cyanosis and neurological signs. There are also specific forms of shock, such as neurogenic shock, anaphylactic shock and septic shock. It is important to recognize the signs of shock and seek medical attention immediately, as shock is an emergency medical situation that can progress to death if not treated quickly and effectively.