Physiology and Treatment of Shock Flashcards
What is shock?
A state of inadequate perfusion, meaning normal organ function cannot be sustained.
What are the 5 main types of shock?
Hypovolaemic Cardiogenic Obstructive Distributive Cytotoxic
What is the most common cause of hypovolemic shock?
Trauma
What is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock?
Myocardial infarction
What are the clinical signs of cardiogenic shock?
Hypotension Fatigue Syncope Pulmonary oedema Raised JVP Hepatic congestion
What is inotropy?
A measure of the contractile state of the myocardium for any given preload.
What are positive inotropes?
Drugs which can be given to increase stroke volume.
What are 4 examples of positive inotropic drugs?
Dobutamine
Adrenaline
Dopamine
Milrinone
If pharmacological treatment is insufficient in cardiogenic shock, what can be given?
Fit an intra-aortic balloon pump.
What are the 3 subtypes of distributive shock?
Septic shock
Anaphylactic shock
Neurogenic shock
What compensation occurs in early distributive shock?
Cardiac output increases, however as vasodilation continues, compensatory mechanisms become insufficient.
What are the 2 shockable cardiac arrest arrhythmias?
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
What are the 2 non-shockable cardiac arrhythmias?
Asystole
Pulseless electrical activity
How does pulseless electrical activity present?
Will have cardiac output, but no pulse.
Which of the cardiac arrest arrhythmias has the worst outcome?
Asystole
