Vol. 20 No. 2 (2022)
An Approach To:

Approach to Shock

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  • Janet Chan
Janet Chan
McGill University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26443/mjm.v20i2.872

Published 2022-04-19

Keywords

  • shock,
  • vasopressors,
  • inotropes,
  • cardiogenic shock,
  • neurogenic shock,
  • obstructive shock,
  • anaphylactic shock,
  • hypovolemic shock,
  • septic shock
    • ...More
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How to Cite

1.
Chan J. Approach to Shock. McGill J Med [Internet]. 2022 Apr. 19 [cited 2025 Oct. 6];20(2). Available from: https://mjm.mcgill.ca/article/view/872

Copyright (c) 2022 Janet Chan

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Shock is a life-threatening pathophysiologic state referring to inadequate organ perfusion, which can progress to end-organ dysfunction and eventually, multiple organ failure and death. The diagnosis of shock is clinical, necessitating good understanding of the underlying etiology, pathophysiology, as well as the clinical, biochemical, and hemodynamic manifestations of the various presentations of shock. This article describes an approach to shock, highlighting the important initial actions, pertinent clinical findings, and the four main types of shock, and offers an overview of the inotropes and vasopressors used in the intensive care setting. A case study and additional figures are included to supplement the presented concepts.

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