Shock Flashcards
What is the most common cause of shock in trauma patients?
Hemorrhage
What is the equation for cardiac output?
CO = HR x SV
- SV consists of preload, contractility, and afterload
- cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute
What is the definition of preload?
-what are the determinants of preload? (3)
Preload = volume of venous blood returning to the left and right sides of the heart
- Preload is determined by:
1. Venous capacitance (how much blood can sit in the veins ie. reservoir)
2. Volume status
3. Difference between mean venous systemic pressure and right atrial pressure
How does decreased blood volume deplete preload?
Decreased blood volume = decreased venous volume –> decreased venous pressure compared to right atrial pressure –> decreased venous return to the heart –> decreased myocardial muscle fiber length after ventricular filling at the end of diastole –> decreased myocardial contractility
What is the definition of afterload?
Resistance to the forward flow of blood (ie. peripheral vascular resistance)
What is the physiological response to blood loss?
Compensatory mechanisms:
- Peripheral vasoconstriction to redirect blood flow to kidneys/heart/brain
- Increase in heart rate to preserve cardiac output in order to compensate from decreased stroke volume (decreased preload and decreased contractility)
- Increased catecholamines increase peripheral vascular resistance which in turn increases diastolic blood pressure and reduces pulse pressure
- Inadequately perfused and poorly oxygenated cells will switch to anaerobic metabolism, resulting in the formation of lactic acid and development of metabolic acidosis
What is the most effective method of stopping hemorrhagic shock?
STOP THE BLEEDING!!!!
-need definitive control of hemorrhage and restoration of adequate circulating volume - these are the goals of treating hemorrhagic shock
True or false: The presence of shock in a trauma patient warrants the immediate involvement of a surgeon.
True! Strongly consider early transfer of these patients to a trauma center
How much blood volume can be lost before you see a fall in systolic blood pressure?
Up to 30%! Compensatory mechanisms can delay hypotension so do NOT rely solely on systolic blood pressure as an indicator of shock
What are the 2 most early physical exam signs of hemorrhagic shock?
- Tachycardia
2. Cutaneous vasoconstriction (cold extremities)
Name two reasons why elderly patients may not exhibit tachycardia in shock?
- Limited cardiac response to catecholamines
2. May be on beta blockers/other medications that decrease heart rate
What are the two main classifications of shock in a trauma patient?
Hemorrhagic vs. non-hemorrhagic shock
What are possible causes of non-hemorrhagic shock in a trauma patient?
. Cardiac tamponade
- Blunt myocardial injury
- Tension pneumothorax
- Spinal cord injury
- **Obstructive shock = cardiac tamponade and tension pneumothorax
- Cardiogenic shock = blunt myocardial injury
- Neurogenic shock = spinal cord injury (loss of sympathetic tone leading to hypotension)
- Septic shock = think of this in trauma patients with delayed presentation
***Suspect cardiac tamponade/tension pneumothorax/blunt myocardial injury in any patient with injuries above the diaphragm
What are the main sources of potential massive blood loss?
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Retroperitoneum
- Long bones
- External bleeding
- Pelvis
What is the most common cause of cardiac tamponade in trauma patients?
Penetrating thoracic trauma - can also occur in blunt trauma but less likely