Dr Terence See
Consultant
Emergency Department, TTSH
Scope
• Definition
• Basic Physiology
• Clinical Features
• Classification
• Case Studies
• MAP = CO x TPR
MAP = Mean Arterial Pressure
TPR = Total Peripheral Resistance
PRELOAD AFTERLOAD CONTRACTILITY
TOTAL
CARDIAC OUTPUT X PERIPHERAL
RESISTANCE
BLOOD PRESSURE
(MAP)
Clinical features of Shock
• Look for signs of inadequate organ
perfusion!
- Brain: giddiness, syncope, altered mental
state
- Kidneys: reduced urine output
- Peripheries: venoconstriction, cool clammy
skin, pallor, mottling, prolonged capillary
refill
- Tachypnoea
Early recognition of shock is
critical!
How vital are the vital signs?
• Initial BP may be normal!
Is she in shock?
Case 1 (continued)
• On arrival at ED: examination of the head,
chest and abdomen normal
• Fluid resuscitated with 1.5L of saline
• Cervical and chest x-rays normal
• HR now 130, BP 85/45
• Pt appears to be more drowsy…
• Classification
• Management
Classification of Haemorrhagic
Shock
I II III IV
Blood loss (ml) <750 750–1500 1500–2000 >2000
Blood loss (%) <15% 15–30% 30–40% >40%
Pulse rate
(beats/min) <100 >100 >120 >140
Blood pressure Normal Decreased Decreased Decreased
Respiratory rate
(bpm) 14–20 20–30 30–40 >35
Urine output
(ml/hour) >30 20–30 5–15 Negligible
CNS symptoms Normal Anxious Confused Lethargic
1-1.5L
2-4L
Treatment
• Fluid resuscitation – crystalloids or blood
• Find the source and control ongoing loss
• Use of inotropes?
Haemorrhage Control
• External Haemorrhage:
- Direct pressure
- Splinting
- ?Tourniquet
• Internal Haemorrhage:
- Operative control
- Angioembolisation
Back to our patient…
Haemorrhagic Shock in Pelvic
Fractures
• 90 percent of haemorrhage sources are
venous in origin – arrest by immobilisation
and alignment of the fracture sites
• Aggressive and early fluid resuscitation,
including blood
• Angioembolisation
• External fixation
• Laparotomy
BP 70/40
• 70 year old Male with
low back pain
Subcutaneous
air tracking
down to
periosteum
#3 Distributive Shock
• Vasomotor dysfunction
DIAGNOSIS?
Distributive Shock
• Septic shock
• Anaphylactic shock
Anaphylactic Shock
• Life-threatening emergency!
• Distributive shock due to massive
histamine release
• Severe allergic reaction; rapid in onset
• Common precipitating factors: drugs,
insect stings, food allergies
Features of Anaphylactic Shock
• Urticaria
• Brochospasm
• Decreased vascular
tone and capillary
leakage hypotension
• Angioedema of tongue,
soft palate and larynx
can quickly progress to
upper airway
obstruction with stridor
Anaphylactic Shock
• Treatment:
- Stop/remove offending agent
- Airway management
- IM Adrenaline 0.3mls
- IV fluids
- Anti-histamines
- Nebulisers
- Steroids
Case 5
• 20 year old Malay Male
• Motorcyclist involved in RTA, flung off bike
• Found lying by the roadside, alert but
complains that he cannot move his arms
and legs
• VS: BP 80/50, HR 60, RR 20
Management at scene?
Immobilise first, ask
questions later!
Case 5 (continued)
• ABCs
• Cervical
immobilisation
• Spinal board
• Start fluid
resuscitation
Distributive Shock
• Septic shock
• Anaphylactic shock
• Neurogenic shock
Suspect spinal injury when…
• Any major trauma
• Unconscious
• Mechanism of injury
• Significant head injury
• Any neck pain or neurological symptoms
• Pre-existing spinal disease
Clinical Features of Spinal
Injury
• Neurogenic shock: hypotension,
bradycardia and peripheral vasodilation
• Cardiogenic
• Obstructive
SHOCK – General Approach
1. Treat the underlying cause
3. Supportive care
SHOCK – General Approach
• Airway and Breathing
• Maximise O2 delivery
• Secure large bore IV access
• Fluid resuscitation: crystalloids, colloids,
blood
• Determine and treat the underlying cause
• ECG, CXR
• IDC
Vasoactive Agents
• Inotropes (eg dopamine) or vasopressors
(eg noradrenaline) may be useful in
managing shock
• Only after adequate volume resuscitation!
• Not for haemorrhagic shock
• Targets certain receptors (alpha and beta)
Vasoactive Agents
Drug Usual Dose Pharmacological
Range Effects
Adrenaline 0.01- Lower doses: mainly beta
Noradrenaline 0.2mcg/kg/min Higher doses: mainly alpha