Shock: causes, assessment and investigation

Abstract

Shock is a life-threatening clinical state in which cellular hypoxia develops due to an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand resulting in end organ dysfunction. It is the end result of a number of pathophysiological processes, and multiple processes may coexist. Shock may be reversible in early stages; however, if appropriate treatment is delayed the effects become irreversible, resulting in multiorgan failure and death. Given the morbidity and mortality associated with shock, its significance has been emphasized in medical education and public health campaigns globally in recent years. Early recognition and timely interventions to treat shock and address the underlying cause(s) are essential to improve outcomes. This article provides an overview of shock syndromes, presents an approach to assessment and investigations, and reviews the management of shock in a general context. It is beyond the scope of one article to discuss the vast subject of shock in as much depth as it deserves.