Circulatory Shock Flashcards
Clinical shock
Acute circulatory failure with inadequate or inappropriately distributed tissue perfusion resulting in cellular hypoxia and end organ damage
What are the main mediators of vasodilation
Nitric oxide
Prostacyclin
How does vasodilation regulate blood flow
Enhances blood flow to certain areas
Decr systemic vascular resistance
What hormones cause vasoconstriction
Noradrenaline - a2
Angiotensin
Vasopressin
Is vasoconstriction controlled by the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic
Which receptors does noradrenaline work on to cause vasoconstriction
Alpha 2
What are the 3 causes of shock
Decr cardiac output
Reduced systemic vascular resistance
Incr afterload
How is shock a vicious cycle
Inadequate blood flow -> heart and circ system failure -> further cardiac output decr -> worsening shock and perfusion
Why is shock very difficult to reverse once initiated
Involves lots of positive feedback mechanisms
How does hypoxia cause cell death
Cells switch to anaerobic metabolism -> lactic acid made -> cell function ceases + swells -> ICF membrane permeability -> electrolytes + fluids enter + leave -> Na/K+ pump impaired -> cells swell -> mitochondria damage -> cell death
4 stages of shock
Initial
Compensatory
Progressive
Refractory
Which stage of shock is irreversible
Refractory
What causes a patient to go from compensatory to progressive stage shock
Body can’t compensate anymore
Features of initial stage shock
Body switches to anaerobic metabolism
Incr lactic acid
Subtle clinical sign changes
Features of compensatory stage shock
Sympathetic stimulation
Incr catecholamine release
Incr cardiac contractility
Vasoconstriction
Aldosterone release
Decr urine output
Incr heart rate
Incr glucose level
Features of progressive stage shock
Electrolyte imbalance
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory acidosis
Peripheral oedema
Irregular tachyarrhythmia
Hypotension
Pallor
Cool clammy skin
Altered level of consciousness
Features of refractory stage shock
Irreversible cellular and end organ damage
Impending death
4 types of shock
Obstructive
Distributive
Cardiogenic
Hypovolaemic
Obstructive shock
Physical obstruction to vessels entering or leaving heart reduces flow to heart, decreasing preload and cardiac output
What causes obstructive shock
Physical obstruction to large vessels entering or leaving heart
What type of shock can a pulmonary embolism cause
Obstructive
What type of shock can a tension haemothorax cause
Obstructive
How does a pulmonary embolism cause shock
Clot blocks artery in lungs increasing heart afterload