ICU and critical care Flashcards
How is the level of care (hence what bed they get given) a patient needs determined?
Given a level from 0-3
Who are level 0 pts. and what care do they require? What is level 0 care?
Ward based care IV infusion and b.d ops
normal ward
Who are level 1 pts. and what care do they require? What is level 1 care?
Pts. at risk of their conditions deteriorating
additional clinical input (eg. continuous O2, chest drains)
4 hourly jobs
4 hourly GCS
Require higher levels of care (need critical care team advice and support)
Who are level 2 pts. and what care do they require? What is level 2 care?
Its needed pre-operative optimisation or extended post-operative care (eg. major elective surgery or emergency operations in high-risk individuals)
pts requiring single organ support:
Basic resp support: eg. O2>50%, CPAP or BIPAP
Basic cardio support: CVP monitoring or one vasoactive drug infusion
Advanced cardio support: multiple vasoactive drug use, cardiac output monitoring
Renal support: renal replacement therapy
Neurological support: ICP monitoring
Dermatological support: major burns
Pt may be suitable for HDU - pts requiring more detailed observations/intervention, single organ system failure, (post-operative care) hourly obs (for early detection of potential deterioration)
Who are level 3 pts. and what care do they require? What is level 3 care?
Pts requiring advanced resp. support alone
OR
support of at least 2 other organ systems. - one or more organ failures
ICU
If pt. has NEWS on 1-4, how often do they need obs?
minimum of 4 hourly
If pt. has NEWS of 0, how often do they need obs?
minimum of 12 hourly
If pt. has NEWS of 5 -7
OR
3 in one parameter, how often do they need obs?
Minimum of 2 hourly (for at least 6 hours)
also: need URGENT review by medical/surgical team, strict hourly fluid balance
If pt. has NEWS of 7 or more, how often do they need observations?
minimum of hourly (for at least 6 hours)
registrar must be informed AND critical care outreach team, transfer to level 2 or 3 facility
With a critically unwell pt., what kinds of things can you ask nurses to do?
Observations (as regularly as NEWS requires)
Fluid balance chart
?catheter
Oxygen therapy
What is SIRS and what are the criteria?
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome
2 or more signs of inflammation: T >38 or <36 HR >90 WCC>12 or <4 RR>20 Altered conscious level BM >7.7 (if not diabetic)
If patient is neutropenic then just 1 of the above
What are the red flags of sepsis?
SBO <90mmHg despite fluid chart Lactate >2 mol/L Heart rate >130/min RR > 25/min O2 sats <91% Response to voice/pain OR unresponsive purpuric rash
What pts. can to be sent to ICU?
Pts. requiring level 3 care
(one or more organ failures or need for mechanical ventilation)
Pts poor clinical condition must be potentially reversible
Pt who’s long-term health and co-morbidity mean that they are likely to survive AND BENEFIT from critical care
explicit or reasonably assume pt. consent
Some admissions are pre-planed following major surgery
What is the aim of intensive care?
Early recognition of deterioration
Ability to keep pts. alive longer (by organ support) so underlying cause can be treated
What are 3 exceptions to single organ failure that move pts. from level 2 to level 3?
Resp. failure on ventilation
Kidney failure (on particular treatment)
Sleep apnoea on inotropes
What happens on ICU?
Close physiological control (constant monitoring)
Specific therapy (relevant to disease)
Infusion of vasoactive drugs (vasopressors, inotropes)
Mechanical organ support (renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal oxygenation)
Define shock
Shock is a state of circulatory failure characterised by tissue perfusion that is inadequate to meet the needs of the body
What are two main common causes of obstructive shock?
PE embolus (saddle embolus) Tension pneumothorax
What are some causes of cardiogenic shock
Cardiac failure MI (causing arrhythmias) pulmonary oedema (obstruction to blood flow) complete heart block valvular defects
What are some causes of neurogenic shock?
spinal cord transection (if see pt. with bradycardia following trauma, worry about this)
Why do you get low blood pressure in septic shock?
Vasodilation due to release of cytokines
Toxins from infection also cause vasodilation
What’s the difference between pt. with cariogenic and septic shock?
Hyperfebrile in septic shock
pt with cariogenic shock will have cold peripheries and be sweaty/clammy
What can cause cariogenic shock and low-grade pyrexia?
PE/DVT
Endocarditis
Which receptors does adrenaline work on ( in high doses) in anaphylaxis? How does this help?
alpha receptors - cause vasoconstriction
What’s the difference between inotropes and vasopressors?
vasopressors act on alpha receptors (increase after load) - cause vasoconstriction
inotropes act on beta receptors - increase contractility of heart (and often HR)
What are common causes of distributive shock?
Sepsis (commonest) Anaphylaxis Toxic shock syndrome Neurogenic shock Liver failure Adrenal insufficiency Drugs and toxic exposure SIRS secondary to pancreatitis, burns or trauma
Why is RR increased in shock?
compensating for high level of lactate in blood
If you can’t get peripheral oxygen sats, what might this tell you about a pt. with shock?
They are peripherally shut down
What lactate level is a SERIOUS concern?
anything 4 or more
What should you do if you’ve given a pt. 30ml?kg of fluid and their HR/BP don’t improve?
Call critical care outreach
What is the volume limit of fluid you should give in resuscitation? (before asking for help)
30 ml/Kg
What type of fluid is Hartman’s?
Balanced crystalloid
How can you assess whether someone is responsive to fluids? (other than monitoring obs)
Lower leg raise
HR down
BP up
= responsive to fluids
What are THE KEY FEATURES of type 1 respiratory failure
Low O2 (pO2<8 ON AIR) CO2 normal (or low) (pCO2 <6.0)
Hypoxaemic
What are THE KEY FEATURES of type 2 respiratory failure?
Low O2 (pO2<8 ON AIR) CO2 normal (or high) (pCO2 >6.0)
Hypercapnic
What are the indications of respiratory failure?
require supplementary O2 with/without ventilation
What are the indications of cardiovascular failure?
low BP
On vasosuppressors or inotropes
What are the indicators of renal failure?
reduced or no urine output, raised serum creatinine
What are the indications of liver failure?
Jaundice Prolonged clotting (bruising) Encephalopathy low blood sugary high lactate
What are the indications of nervous system failure?
reduced conscious level
What is included in a clotting screen
PT
APTT
Fibrinogen
Below what reading of fibrinogen would you be concerned about DIC in a septic pt?
1.5
Describe multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
shock causes hypoperfusion
lack of oxygen at cellular level then leads to cellular dysfunction/death
cellular dysfunction/death causes release of inflammatory cytokines and microvascular injury
this cascade then causes further cellular dysfunction and whole organ system failure ensues
how would you manage multi organ failure syndrome
oxygenation, ventilation
fluid, inotropes, vasopressors
feeding
treat underlying cause
replacement of organ support
As well as stabling the patient and treating underlying cause, what else might you want to do for a pt. with multiple organ failure
Feeding Sedate and invasive ventilation Gastric protection DVT prevention Measures to limit nosocomial infection analgesia
What type of respiratory failure is CPAP useful for? Why?
type 1
stops alveolar collapse (keeps alveoli open - good in ‘wet lungs’ eg. oedema (due to LVF), pneumonia (in some cases))
What type of respiratory failure is BIPAP used for?
type 2
increase minute volume (by giving them increased tidal volume)
eg. COPD
What is ECMO? What is the benefit of this over ventilation? What type of patient could this be useful for?
oxygens the blood - leaves body, goes through machine, goes through membrane oxygenation and back in to body
gives the lungs a rest (compared to ventilation, which is usually an aggressive experience for the lungs)
Would give to previously young and fit pt. who has developed a resp. problem (eg. pneumonia)
What are some cardio specific organ support interventions?
vasoactive agents
intra-aortic balloon pump (lots of complications, going out of function)
What are some renal specific organ support interventions?
renal replacement therapy
When might you consider pt. for renal replacement therapy (on ICU)
uraemia
hyperkalemia
pulmonary oedema (fluid overload)
metabolic acidosis
How would you (temporarily) manage pt. with hyperkalemia (K>6.5/7)
calcium gluconate (can also use calcium chloride) 10 mls
Insulin
What is the definition of respiratory failure (in terms of oxygen levels) and how is it classified?
Resp. failure = lack of oxygen (PaO2 <8kPa)
Classified in to type 1 and 2
What are some causes of type 1 resp. failure?
ventilation/perfusion mismatch
upper airway obstruction
low oxygen in inspired air
How would you manage type 1 respiratory failure?
A-E approach
treat underlying cause
TREAT HYPOXIA: GIVE OXYGEN (generally de-escalation pattern)
If still hypoxic: CPAP
delivers oxygen at pressure
How does CPAP work?
Delivers oxygen with positive pressure of between 4-25 cm H2O
Improves FRC (functional residual capacity)
Improves V/Q mismatch - decreases atelectasis - decreased leakage of fluid into lungs - splints airways open (blood going to parts of lung (perfusion), but not being oxygenated - opens up airways and allows these perfused areas to take part in gas exchange)
Decreases work of breathing
When might you use CPAP in type 1 resp failure?
When face-mask or high-flow oxygen has failed
pulmonary oedema
fluid overload
atelectasis
chest infection
pt with PaO2 less than 8KPa despite maximal O2 therapy
(consider escalating to HDU/ICU)
When might you not use CPAP in a pt. with type 1 resp failure? why not?
Pneumothorax
Make it worse!
What are some of the problems with CPAP?
Can expand pneumothoraces
Can cause hypotension (increased intrathoracic pressure, causing decreased venous return and therefore decreased pre-load to the heart - may need to give IV fluids… if not contraindicated y pulmonary oedema)
Difficult to apply if there are facial injuries or if pt. wants to eat
What can cause type 2 respiratory failure? (hypoxia with hypercapnia)
Hypoventilation (eg. drug overdose, weakness/muscle fatigue)
Increased dead space in lung (eg. COPD) (these pts. may also have increased airway resistance - patient looks like they are breathing heavily, but amount of air entering alveoli is limited. Alveoli may also be damaged and ineffective at gas exchange, air may get to alveoli, but nothing happens there)
Worsening lung mechanics: increasing bronchial constriction, narrowing and oedema
disordered central ventilatory drive
How would you treat type 2 respiratory failure?
treat hypoxia (but be careful not to make hypercapnia) BIPAP - patient needs extra support for ventilatory pump
(in emergency: treat hypoxia, but be mindful of hypoventilation - see COPD management protocol on resp. ward. worst case scenario: intubate patient and ventilate them)
What is BIPAP?
Biphasic positive airway pressure
like CPAP, but with additional pressure to support inspiration (this pressure decreases again on expiration, to prevent patient having to breath against this increased pressure)
Increases minute volume by increasing tidal volume
What is EPAP?
expiratory positive airway pressure, analogous to CPAP
What is IPAP?
inspiratory positive airway pressure, the (extra) pressure given to support inspiration.
Augments tidal volume.
When is BiPAP indicated?
Hypercapnoeic COPD exacerbation (not improved by oxygen therapy) - prevent need for ET tubing
MSK conditions with resp. failure (as long as airway is patent and SECURE)
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
What are some problems with BiPAP?
mask intolerance
facial injury
PATIENT CO-OPERATION IS CRUCIAL
65 yr M
SOB and chest pain
ECG shows LBBB
ABG on 15L non-rebreathe mask: pH 7.354 PO2 10 kPa PCO2 3.12 kPa Bicarb 24.2
what is the diagnosis?
What type of resp. failure is this?
How should this be managed?
- cariogenic pulmonary oedema
- type 1
- Oxygen, CPAP, medical treatment
72 yr smoker
worsening SOB
Cough with yellow sputum
ABG on air: pH 7.35 pCO2 7.8 kPa pO 5.1 kPA HCO3 32mmol/l
on 35% venturi: pH 7.30 PCO2 10.2kPa Po2 8.9kPa HCO3 34mmol/l
what is the diagnosis?
What type of resp. failure is this?
How should this be managed?
- exacerbations of COPD
- type 2
- controlled oxygen
BiPAP
Medical management
What are the indications of invasive ventilation?
Respiratory failure that is refractory to other treatment
Respiratory failure with low conscious level
Tiring on other treatment
Airway compromise
Also used in other conditions (sepsis, trauma, head injury, post arrest etc)
What are some problems with IPPV?
Requires endotracheal tube
Sedation (to almost anaesthetic levels)
- Hypotension
- Gastroparesis
- Immobility
- Vascular access
- Risks of pneumonia
Limited to specialist areas (ICU)
What is the difference between withholding and withdrawing treatments?
Witholding: not starting or increasing interventions
withdrawing: actively stopping a life-sustaining intervention (passive-euthanasia)*
* this is legal if intervention deemed futile
What is double effect?
treatment used for one indications has a deleterious effect in another aspect.
eg. opiates for treatment of pain, may also shorten life by causing resp. depression
What is the criteria for withdrawal of treatment?
Futility - sufficiently low efficacy that doctors believe it should not be provided. Three typesL physiological, benefit-centred, cost-based.
Best interests eg. treatment v. futile or burdensome for pt.
Competent pts. refusing treatment (pts. who lack capacity - use MCA 2005, act in pt’s best interests)
What drugs are still given in withdrawal of treatment?
treatments are reduced down to those that treat symptoms
What is the definition of death?
Irreversible loss of the capacity for consciousness combined with the irreversible loss of the capacity to breathe
(capacities within the brainstem)
How does death of the brainstem USUALLY occur? How is this different in primary brain damage?
Most deaths: brainstem damage occurs secondary to ischaemia caused by cardiac arrest
Primary brain damage: brainstem death occurs in the presence of a beating heart. No other cause of unconsciousness is present
- must to 6 extensive brainstem tests and apnoea test
What is the critical care outreach team?
Senior nursing staff with extensive critical care experience
nurse led service with dedicated ICU consultant available for outreach team
What things can the critical care outreach team do/think about?
A-E assessment
Hx and clerking notes
NEWS recording
Fluid balance
Look at blood results, radiological reports,
Level of care required and ceilings of care
What do you need to think about in a patient with a NEWS of 5 or more?
SIRS or Sepsis
What is sepsis?
SIRS and clinical evidence of infection
What is the equation for oxygen delivery?
cardiac output x oxygen content
What KEY three things impact cardiac function?
preload
after load
contractility
What are two common causes of hypovolaemic shock?
bleeding
dehydration
What are 4 main causes of cardiogenic shock?
Pump failure (many causes) Rhythm abnormalities valvular defects obstruction to flow
What are 6 main causes of distributive shock?
Sepsis Anaphylaxis neurogenic shock adrenal insufficiency drugs and toxic exposure
What are the different classifications of shock?
Hypovolemic
Cardiogenic
Distributive (incl. anaphylaxis, septic shock and neurogenic)
Obstructive
How might hypovlemic and cariogenic shock present differently to distributive shock (thinking specifically about patient temp and appearance)?
Hypovol and cardio: cool, pale patient
distributive: warm, vasodilator patient
What are clinical signs of shock (and what are the attempted compensation mechanisms of the body)?
NOT ALL SIGNS HAVE TO BE PRESENT AND NOT ALL SIGNS ALONE MEAN SHOCK
Inadequate perfusion:
General - SBP < 90 (or fall from baseline of 30) Lactate > 3 BE < -4 Increased cap refill
Brain -
Lethargy
Somnolence
Kidney - low urine output (oliguria/anuria)
Compensation: tachycardia
tachypnoea
Why are lactate and urine output so important when working out if/how badly, someone is n shock?
Lactate produced by tissues with inadequate oxygen supply (anaerobic resp bi-product)
Urine output = directly measurable indicator of organ function. Falling urine output indicates, renal perfusion is inadequate, therefore likely to be case in general organs
How do you optimise perfusion in a patient who is shocked?
Secure airway
Ensure adequate oxygen saturations: adequate ventilation/breathing
Fluid resuscitations (250ml< within 10 mins) - even in pulmonary oedema
Ensure adequate haemoglobin conc. to carry oxygen
What monitoring would you do for someone in shock?
Regular and repeated assessment of perfusion:
HR and RR
Urine output
ABG and lactate
Conscious level
What care/treatment can be done in ICU for shock that is different from a normal ward?
More invasive monitoring (arterial line, CVP)
more accurate fluid resuscitation
use of vasoactive medications (restore perfusion to vital organs)
Specific organ support eg. dialysis.
where would you send someone with shock due to intra-ado bleeding?
surgical team for theatre
What does a central venous catheter measure? What else can it be used for?
Central venous pressure (like measuring JVP)
Indicator of fluid status (circulating volume) - Trend is more useful than one off reading
Can also be used to give drugs that need to go to central vein, e.g.. noradrenaline
What do vasopressors do?
Cause vasoconstriction of peripheral vasculature (alpha receptors) - can improve coronary blood flow
What do inotropes do?
Increase contractility of heart (and often HR too) (beta receptors)
What are the two main classes of vasoactive drugs?
inotropes
vasopressors
What treatment would you give to a hypovolaemic patient out of the following:
Fluid
inotrope
vasopressor
Fluid
If this doesn’t work, more fluid
What treatment would you give to a patient in cariogenic shock out of the following:
Fluid
inotrope
vasopressor
inotrope (dobutamine)
What treatment would you give to a patient in distributive shock out of the following:
Fluid
inotrope
vasopressor
vasopressor (noradrenaline)
What are the physiological goals when treating shock?
normalise lactate
restore urine output to >= 0.5 ml/kg/hr
MAP >= 65 (or more if usually hypertensive)
Central venous O2 sats >70%
CVP 8-12
What is a downside re. aggressive fluid resuscitation in shock?
Increases tissue leak
increases intrcapillary distance
worsens tissue oxygenation
What is a potential negative effect of each of the vasoactive classes?
vasopressors: tissue ischaemia (due to vasospasm)
inotropes: stress the heart, increase myocardial oxygen consumption - increasing risk of ischaemia
arrhythmia
What does withholding treatment mean? How does this compare to withdrawing treatments? Is there a legal or ethical distinction between these two concepts?
Witholding: not starting or increasing interventions
Withdrawing: actively stopping life-sustaining intervention (passive euthanasia)
LEGAL IF DEEMED FUTILE
THERE IS NO LEGAL OR ETHICAL DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO
How is euthanasia different from witholding/withdrawing life-sustaining treatment?
Active shortening of dying process.
UNLAWFUL IN UK
What are some criteria for withdrawal of treatment?
Futility:
sufficiently low efficacy that doctors believe it should not be provided
(incorporates value judgements)
Who does the decision re. whether a treatment is futile lie with? What legal framework outlines this?
the doctor - not the patient.
mental capacity act
What are the three main types of futility?
Physiological
benefit-centred
cost-based
How should decisions about futility be made?
In patient’s best interests - consult widely to find out patient’s past and present wishes, feelings, beliefs and values
NOT THE VALUES OF THE RELATIVES
Which patients can refuse/withdraw treatment?
Patients with capacity
BUT CANNOT REQUEST TO BE ASSISTED WITH COMMITTING SUICIDE
Can a patient demand treatment?
No - doctor makes decision based on best interests
If patients’ don’t have capacity to make a decision, how does this get made?
(someone may have legal right)
Doctor
Overall balanced on: recent views expressed by pt circumstances the would have considered if capable previously expressed views or beliefs clinician and peer reviews
What drugs would you give someone when withdrawing care? What other things do you need to consider?
Infusions or boluses of:
analgesics
anxiolytics
antisialogues
Family wishes
Timing - family, organ donation etc.
consider whether to extubatne or not
What is death?
Irreversible loss of consciousness + irreversible loss of capacity to breath (these capacities live in brainstem)
What are different types of death?
Most: brainstem damage secondary to ischaemia caused by cardiac arrest
Sometimes: brainstem death in presence of being heart (primary brain damage). No other cause of unconsciousness present.
How do you diagnose death?
Loss of cardiac and resp. function for 5 mins
Limited brainstem function:
pupils unreactive
no corneal reflex
no response to supraorbital pressure
What is ventilation/perfusion mis-match?
alveolus is perfused (receiving blood), but not oxygenated (alveolus is malfunctioning eg. filled with fluid or infection).
This blood remains unoxygenated and then mixes with oxygenated blood from other alveoli. If sufficient alveoli are affected, proportion of blood entering left hear without being oxygenated can be enough to dilute oxygenated blood - causes blood to by ‘hypoxic’
What are some causes of Type 1 (HYPOXIC) respiratory failure?
V/Q mismatch
Upper airway obstruction
Oxygen oxygen in inspired air
Why does hypnocapnoea occur in COPD?
muscle fatigue + worsening lung mechanics
increasing bronchial constriction, narrowing and oedema
disordered central ventilatory drive
High PCO2 and low PO2
What is one of the key requirements of invasive ventilatory support? How is this achieved?
Requires definitive airway to prevent aspiration of gastric contents
ET tubes
tracheostomy tubes
Where do the tip of the ET tube, and the cuff (respectively) sit anatomically?
ET tube tip: just above carina
cuff: just below vocal cords
Why can’t a patient with ET tube speak?
No airflow across vocal cords
What are the early complications of an ET tube?
trauma to airway - incl, mouth, teeth and trachea
aspiration of stomach contents
tube malposition
airway obstruction
hypoxia from prolonged attempts
What are some late complications of an ET tube?
infection
mucosal damage to mouth or trachea (from cuff pressure)
injury to vocal cords
tracheal stenosis
When might you consider using a tracheostomy tube?
Patients needing a prolonged airway or ventilatory support
How might a tracheostomy be better for a patient than an ET tube?
might be better tolerated than an ET tube - may permit withdrawal f sedation
May aid weaning from mechanical ventilation
avoid some of the complications of long-term ET tubes
Where is the incision for a tracheostomy made?
anterior neck
between tracheal cartilaginous rings
cuff then inflated to form a seal against the tracheal wall - providing definitive airway
Other than the tracheostomy set, what else is usually needed to perform the procedure competently?
Bronchoscope
What are the early complications of tracheostomies?
Haemorrhage
pneumothorax
tube misplacement
surgical emphysema
blockage with secretions
stromal infection
mucosal ulceration
and perforation
tracheo-oesophageal fistulas
What are some late complications of tracheostomies?
Late haemorrhage (erosion into innominate artery)
tracheal granulomata
tracheal stenosis
scarring, persistent sinus
tracheal necrosis
Why is oxygen that is delivered to patients in ICU, warmed and humidified?
improve patient comfort
reduce complications eg. mucus plugging
What is one of the risks of long term oxygen therapy? (>60% for >48 hours)
pulmonary injury
What is non-invasive respiratory support?
CPAP and BIPAP
Both types of Non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
what do chronotropes do?
increase the heart rate
Why is dobutamine the odd one out of: dobutamine adrenaline noradrenaline phenylephrine
All of the others increase systemic vascular resistance
This increases BP (and therefore vital organ perfusion)
Dobutamine doesn’t do this
What are common causes of AKI in critical care patients?
shock
sepsis
(reduced perfusion)
What is a urine output that indicates AKI?
<0.5ml/kg/hr
OR
acute deterioration of eGFR - rising creatinine and urea
How is urine output measured in ICU?
catheterisation
What are some complications of Aki that need to be avoided?
hyperkalaemia
acidosis
fluid overload
uraemia
How are patients with deteriorating kidney function treated?
Intermittent haemodialysis (like in ESRD) OR continuous renal replacement therapy
(continous is often better for patient - less large fluid changes)
VENO-VENOUS HAEMOFILTRATION
- large double lumen catheter in central vein
What are common reasons for sedation in ICU?
aid tolerance of ET tube
Reduce pain and anxiety
status epilepticus treatment
What combination of drugs are usually given for sedation in ICU?
Opioid (commonly alfentanil or remifentanil) Sedative agent (commonly propofol)
What are the 3 main types of distributive shock?
Septic
anaphylactic
neurogenic
What is the pathophysiology of distributive shock?
lack of normal responsiveness of blood vessels to vasoconstrictive agents and direct vasodilation
What is the pathophysiology of neurogenic (distributive shock)?
Neurogenic shock is caused by the loss of vascular (arterial and venous) tone. Leads to decreased vascular resistance. This is caused by damage to CNS (sympathetic nervous system).
Blood doesn’t get to organs as easily/quickly = decreased tissue perfusion
Blood flow back to the heart is reduced - reduces stroke volume = reduces cardiac output (worsens BP and tissue perfusion)
Due to sympathetic nervous system damage, HR drops
What is the pathophysiology of anaphylactic (distributive) shock?
In anaphylactic shock low blood pressure is related to decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) triggered primarily by a massive release of histamine by mast cells
What is the pathophysiology of septic (distributive) shock?
endothelial cells lining the blood vessels become less responsive to vasocontrictive agents, become leaky.
Causes over expression of nitrous oxide
Changes in clotting cascade
DIC due to thrombin release
Causes of neurogenic shock?
Trauma
epidural goes wrong
What are the symptoms of neurogenic shock?
Low BP (due to decreased systemic vascular resistance)
Hypoxia (or symptoms of end-organ damage due to reduced tissue perfusion) - altered mental status, decreased urine output etc.
REDUCED HR - ONLY SHOCK THAT HAS BRADYCARDIA (except for cariogenic shock secondary to bradyarrythmia)
warm skin (due to vasodilation)
How would you treat neurogenic shock?
Vasopressors (call anaesthetist)
Treat underlying cause
IV fluids
Atropine (blocks parasympathetic nervous system - increase heart rate to increase cardiac output)
What are some causes of neurogenic shock?
Spinal cord trauma
Most commonly stabbed in the spine
