II. Definitions
- Shock
- Impaired tissue oxygenation and perfusion
- Imbalance in delivery and consumption of oxygen and metabolic substrates
- Numerous causes and mechanisms, but 4 general types: Hypovolemic, Distributive, Cardiogenic, Obstructive
III. Pathophysiology: Shock
- Circulatory insufficiency resulting in inadequate oxygen supply for given demand
- Triggers a cascading metabolic spiral culminating in cell injury and cell death
- Intracellular Calcium overload
- Free radical oxidative damage
- Impaired mitochondrial ATP synthesis
- Impaired Muscle relaxation and myocardial contractility
- Metabolic Acidosis
- Results from anaerobic metabolism, Lactic Acidosis, and Renal Failure
- Increases Calcium overload
- Decreases myocardial and other Muscle contractility
- Decreased Catecholamine response
- Increased Interstitial Edema
- Pro-inflammatory Cytokines (e.g. Interleukins, Tumor Necrosis Factor)
- Limited to specific shock types (e.g. Septic Shock, Anaphylaxis)
- Systemic vasodilation secondary to endothelial cell activation and nitric oxide release
- Intracellular Calcium overload
- Compensatory mechanisms (Blood Pressure may be normal when compensation is adequate)
- Cardiac Output increase
- Responds to Catecholamine and Cortisol release
- Arterial Vasoconstriction
- Selective shunting of Blood Flow from the skin, skeletal Muscle, Kidney and Gastrointestinal Tract
- Venous constriction
- Increases Preload and return of blood to heart and brain
- Increased Sodium and water reabsorption
- Cardiac Output increase
- Failed compensation
- Metabolic Acidosis
- Coagulopathy (including Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation)
- Inflammatory mediator release
- Multiorgan dysfunction and death
- Hypotension
IV. Types
- Precautions: Undifferentiated Shock
- Many shock presentations are combinations of more than one shock type
- Septic Shock is primarily Distributive Shock, but also associated with third spacing and Hypovolemic Shock
- A massive tension pneumo-Hemothorax may cause both obstructive shock and Hypovolemic Shock
- Hypovolemic Shock
- Defined as intravascular fluid volume that is insufficient for adequate end-organ perfusion
- Hemorrhagic Shock (acute blood loss)
- Examples: Trauma (most common), Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, GI Bleed
- Dehydration
- Examples: Acute Gastroenteritis with Vomiting, Diarrhea, Diabetic Ketoacidosis
- Third-Spacing
- Examples: Burn Injury, Pancreatitis
- Distributive Shock
- Defined as systemic vasodilation that renders an otherwise sufficient circulating volume to be inadequate
- Hemodynamic parameters are paradoxically opposite other forms of shock
- SVR decreases (primary) and Cardiac Output, Pulse Pressure, SvO2 and ScvO2 increases
- Adrenal crisis
- Fever may be present (as in Septic Shock)
- Septic Shock
- Systemic inflammatory response with diffuse, peripheral vasodilation and decreased Cardiac Output
- Neurogenic Shock (esp. cervical and upper thoracic Spinal Cord Injury above T6)
- Loss of sympathetic nervous function
- Results in decreased vascular tone, Hypotension with paradoxical Bradycardia
- Neurogenic Shock does not cause a narrowed Pulse Pressure (sympathetic reflex)
- Contrast with Spinal Shock (below T6 Level), which results in Flaccid Paralysis below the lesion
- Anaphylaxis
- Defined as systemic vasodilation that renders an otherwise sufficient circulating volume to be inadequate
-
Cardiogenic Shock
- Defined as cardiac pump failure (decreased Cardiac Index <1.8, increased left heart filling pressures)
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Cardiomyopathy (e.g. Viral Myocarditis, cardiotoxic agents)
- Trauma (e.g. Cardiac Contusion)
- Supraventricular Tachycardia or other Arrhythmias
- Structural heart defects (e.g. valvular rupture, left to right shunt)
- Obstructive Shock
- Defined as heart or Great Vessel obstruction to flow with decreased Preload or increased Afterload
- Tension Pneumothorax
- Pericardial Tamponade
- Massive Pulmonary Embolism (increased RV Afterload, RV bowing limits LV filling)
V. Causes (Mnemonic: SHRIMP CAN)
- Septic Shock
- Hypovolemic Shock (e.g. Hemorrhagic Shock, severe Dehydration)
- Respiratory Compromise (e.g. Tension Pneumothorax, massive Pulmonary Embolism)
- Ingestion (toxin, Overdose)
- Metabolic (e.g. DKA, Adrenal Insufficiency, Hypothyroidism)
- Psychiatric (Water Intoxication)
- Cardiogenic Shock (MI, CHF, Cardiac Tamponade)
- Anaphylactic shock
- Neurogenic Shock (e.g. Spinal Shock)
- (2016) CALS Manual
VI. History
- Medications and toxins
- Antiarrhythmics
- Anticoagulants
- Antihypertensives
- Diuretics
- Drugs of Abuse
- Poisons (Pesticides, Toxic Alcohols, Cyanide exposure)
- Hypovolemia sources
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Gastrointestinal losses
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Melana
- Hematochezia
- Hematemesis
- Distributive causes (especially Septic Shock)
- Fever, chills, sweats or myalgias
- Infectious sources
- Cough or other respiratory symptoms
- Headache, neck stiffness or acute neurologic changes
- Focal Abdominal Pain (e.g. Acute Cholecystitis, Appendicitis, Diverticulitis)
- Urinary symptoms (e.g. Dysuria, urgency, frequency, Flank Pain)
- New rashes (e.g. Cellulitis)
- Predisposing factors
- Indwelling Urinary Catheter
- Indwelling lines (e.g. PICC Line)
- Retained Foreign Body (e.g. retained tampon)
- Recent procedures or surgeries
- Immunocompromised state
- Cardiogenic causes
- Chest Pain
- Shortness of Breath on exertion (e.g. decreased walk distance)
- Orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal Dyspnea
- Volume overload (recent increased weight)
- Obstructive causes
VII. Symptoms
- Light Headedness
- Weakness
- Palpitations
- Fatigue
- Syncope
- Decreased Urine Output
VIII. Signs
- Altered Mental Status (lethargy, coma)
- Dry mucous membranes
- Decreased skin turgur
- Pallor
- Delayed Capillary Refill
IX. Signs: General
- See Primary Survey
- See Secondary Survey
-
General Findings
- Diaphoresis
- Pallor
- Fever
- Head and neck findings
- Conjunctival pallor (Anemia)
- Dry mucous membranes
- Flat nondistended Jugular Veins
- Exception: Distented jugular neck veins in obstructive shock (e.g. Tension Pneumothorax)
- Respiratory findings
- Tachypnea
- Respiratory compensation for Metabolic Acidosis (e.g. Lactic Acidosis, Ketoacidosis) or
- Primary respiratory etiology (e.g. Pneumonia, Pneumothorax, Pulmonary Embolism)
- Kussmaul Respirations (deep sighing respirations)
- Examples: DKA, Hemorrhage, peritonitis, Uremia
- Asymmetric lung sounds
- Examples: Pneumothorax, Pneumonia
- Tachypnea
- Cardiovascular findings
- New cardiac murmur
- Pulsus Paradoxus
- Peripheral Edema (unilateral or bilateral)
- Decreased Capillary Refill
- Peripheral pulses (symmetry)
- Cold clammy extremities (peripheral vasconstriction)
- Exception: Warm extremities with vasodilation in Distributive Shock
- Abdominal findings
- Peritoneal signs
- Pregnancy
- Ascites
- Ecchymosis
- Seat Belt Sign
- Flank or periumbilical Ecchymosis (intra-abdominal Hemorrhage)
- Neurologic findings
- See Glasgow Coma Scale
- Altered Mental Status
- From Disorientation to coma
- Extremity weakness
X. Signs: Vital Signs
- See Toxin Induced Vital Sign Changes
-
Heart Rate
- Compensatory Sinus Tachycardia
- Expected response to shock but inconsistently present
- Paradoxical absolute or Relative Bradycardia
- May be seen in severe shock with decreased Cardiac Output
-
Arrhythmias
- Primary Tachycardia or profound Bradycardia with secondary Cardiogenic Shock
- Compensatory Sinus Tachycardia
-
Blood Pressure
-
Hypotension is a late response to shock
- In young children, Hypotension is even more ominous, with little warning to cardiovascular collapse
- Not uniformly present (do not rely on Blood Pressure alone to diagnose shock)
-
Hypotension is a late response to shock
-
Pulse Oximetry (Oxygen Saturation)
- Hypoxemia
- Hypoventilation
-
Temperature
- Hypothermia or Hyperthermia
- Abnormal Temperature (high or low) may suggest SIRS Response
- Heat Illness or Accidental Hypothermia may also cause Hypotension or shock state
- Fingerstick Glucose (bedside Glucose)
- Severe Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
- May suggest overwhelming infection or Adrenal Insufficiency
- Other bedside evaluation of shock
- Passive Leg Raise Maneuver (predicts response to 300 ml fluid bolus)
- Indicative of fluid-responsiveness if Blood Pressure increases or Heart Rate decreases with leg raise
- Shock Index
- Shock Index = (Heart Rate) / (Systolic Blood Pressure)
- Mild Shock: 0.6 to 1
- Moderate Shock: 1 to 1.4
- Severe Shock: >1.4
- Passive Leg Raise Maneuver (predicts response to 300 ml fluid bolus)
XI. Labs (as indicated, as markers of hypoperfusion and differential diagnosis)
- Bedside
- Miscellaneous initial labs
- Complete Blood Count
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Coagulation tests (INR, PTT)
- Venous Blood Gas
- Blood Type and Cross Match
- Urine tests
- Urinalysis and Urine Culture
- Urine Pregnancy Test
- Urine toxicology
-
Cardiac Markers
- Serum Troponin
- Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
- Infection suspected
- Serum Lactic Acid (associated with Metabolic Acidosis with Anion Gap)
- Blood Cultures
- Endocrine labs
XII. Diagnostics
- Electrocardiogram
- Noninvasive monitoring (optional, but no proven protocols as of 2015)
- End-Tidal CO2 Monitoring
- Infrared spectroscopy
- Invasive monitoring (central catheter)
- Central oxygen
- Has been part of surviving Sepsis guidelines
- However as of 2015, Lactic Acid may be equivalent and without invasive monitoring
- Greater tissue Oxygen Consumption indicated with SvO2 < 65% or ScvO2 <68%
- Normal SvO2 or ScvO2 does not exclude hypoperfusion
- Mixed venous Oxygen Saturation (SvO2) goal >65%
- Central Venous Oxygen Saturation (ScvO2) goal >68%
- Has been part of surviving Sepsis guidelines
- Central Venous Pressure
- Falling out of favor as of 2012
- Serial Inferior Vena Cava Ultrasound for Volume Status may be as effective without invasive testing
- Central oxygen
XIII. Imaging
- Chest XRay
-
Bedside Ultrasound
- See eFAST Exam
- See Rapid Ultrasound in Shock
- See Inferior Vena Cava Ultrasound for Volume Status
- See Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency (Blue Protocol)
- HIMAP Mnemonic
- Heart
- Inferior Vena Cava
- Morison's Pouch
- Aorta
- Pneumothorax
XIV. Precautions
- Initial shock findings may be subtle (e.g. mild confusion and Sinus Tachycardia)
- Initial systolic Blood Pressure may be normal (in compensated shock)
XV. Management: Approach
- See ABC Management
- Treatment per specific causes as above
- See Trauma Evaluation
- See Hemorrhagic Shock
- See Septic Shock
- See Cardiogenic Shock
- Two large bore IVs (18 gauge or larger)
- Intraosseous Access if IV Access is unavailable
-
Fluid Replacement
- Crystalloid (LR or NS)
- Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion as indicated (replace blood loss with blood)
- Fluid Responsiveness Markers
- See targets of adequate perfusion as listed below
- Assess Stroke Volume, cardiac ouput or surrogates before and after fluid challenge
- Administer 250-500 cc IV crystalloid challenge (over 10 minutes)
- Expect increased Stroke Volume >10-15% after fluid challenge
- Consider Vasopressors if poor response after the first liter (2L in Septic Shock)
- IVC Ultrasound for Volume Status
- Serial measurements may serve as guide to adequate fluid Resuscitation
- Other Bedside Ultrasound Markers
- Hyperdynamic left heart and empty left ventricle also indicates additional fluids
- Continually reassess for excessive fluid Resuscitation (B Line Artifacts, engorged IVC)
- Passive Leg Raise Maneuver
- Elevation of both legs above the heart
- Provides a transient autologous fluid bolus of 300-400 cc
-
Vasopressors (refractory severe Hypotension)
- Step 1: Norepinephrine
- Step 2: Vasopressin
- Step 3: Consider Epinephrine for inotropic or chronotropic support
- Step 4: Consider Angiotensin II
- Weingart (2018) EM:Rap 18(6): 3
- Khanna (2017) N Engl J Med 377(5):419-30 [PubMed]
- Respiratory support as needed
- See Noninvasive Ventilation
- See Advanced Airway
- See Rapid Sequence Intubation
- Ketamine may be a preferred induction agent in Hypotension
- Time intubation based on expectation of improvement with initial Resuscitation
- May resuscitate first and reassess if expect initial improvement in first 15 minutes
- Intubate if response to Resuscitation is expected to be delayed
- Choose short-acting post-intubation Sedatives and Analgesics
- Avoid Benzodiazepines
- Preferred Sedative: Dexmetetomidine
- Preferred Analgesic: Fentanyl
- Empiric Therapy
- See Septic Shock
- Empiric Antibiotic selection based on suspected source
- Treat Hemorrhagic Shock
- Blood Products and emergent surgical intervention
- Even a 2 gram decrease in Hemoglobin From 9 to 7, decreases Oxygen Delivery by 30%
- Contrast with the minimal effect of oxygenation above PaO2 60-70 mmHg
- Consider empiric Adrenal Insufficiency management
- Consider cardiopulmonary causes with emergent interventions as indicated
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Massive Pulmonary Embolism
- Aortic Dissection (or other vascular catastrophe)
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Cardiogenic Shock
- See Septic Shock
XVI. Management: Targets of Adequate Perfusion
- Exam markers
- Improved mentation
- Improved Capillary Refill (and decreased skin mottling)
- No findings of Fluid Overload (increased JVD, lung rales, Hypoxia)
- Lab, diagnostics and Vital Sign markers
- Mean arterial pressure (MAP): >65 mmHg (>50 mmHg may be preferred in Trauma)
- Urine Output: >0.5 ml/kg/h (>1 ml/kg/h in children, >2 ml/kg/h in infants)
- Unreliable in Acute Kidney Injury
- Delayed response from time of fluid delivery to Urine Output response (risk of Fluid Overload)
- Consider monitoring with indwelling Urinary Catheter
- Serum Lactate Clearance (10% serum lactate reduction over 2 hours)
- Correlates with Central Venous Oxygen Saturation (ScvO2)
- IVC Ultrasound for Volume Status
- IVC collapses >50% on inspiration and is 1.5 to 2.5 cm in diameter
- Invasive markers
- Central Venous Pressure (CVP): 8-12 mmHg
- Falling out of favor, although still a part of 2012 surviving Sepsis guideline
- High CVP target is associated with Fluid Overload risk
- Central Venous Oxygen Saturation (ScvO2)
- Central Venous Pressure (CVP): 8-12 mmHg
XVII. Precautions: Positive Fluid Balance
- Avoid over-compensating in Fluid Replacement (Positive Fluid Balance, hypervolemia, Fluid Overload)
- Adverse effects of Positive Fluid Balance
- Delirium
- Diastolic Dysfunction
- Cardiac conduction abnormalities
- Increased respiratory effort
- Decreased GFR
- Sodium retention
- Malabsorption
- Ileus
- Decreased Wound Healing
- Pressure Ulcers
- References
XVIII. References
- DeBlieux in Herbert (2016) EM:Rap 16(5):8-9
- Loflin (2015) Crit Dec Emerg Med 29(9): 11-18
- Goldberg (2015) Crit Dec Emerg Med 29(3): 9-19