Hemorrhagic shock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hemorrhagic_shock | |
|---|---|
| Video explanation of shock | |
| Specialty | Emergency medicine |
| Symptoms | Fast heart rate, narrowing pulse pressure, anxiety, cool arms and legs, decreased consciousness, low blood pressure[1][2] |
| Causes | Trauma, gastrointestinal bleeding, childbirth, ectopic pregnancy, underlying blood vessel problems[2][3] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on examination and medical imaging[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Other types of circulatory shock[1] |
| Treatment | Direct pressure, tourniquet use, tranexamic acid, blood products, temperature management, surgery[1][2] |
| Prognosis | Variable[2] |
Hemorrhagic shock is a type of hypovolemic shock that occurs due to blood loss.[2] The underlying mechanism that results in shock involves not enough blood flow to body tissues.[4] In this case, inadequate blood flow is caused by insufficient blood volume remaining within the cardiovascular system. Complications may include hypothermia, blood clotting problems, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.[5]
The cause of blood loss may include trauma (often blunt or penetrating), gastrointestinal bleeding, childbirth, ectopic pregnancy, and underlying blood vessel problems.[2][6] Bleeding can occur internally or externally.[2] Significant blood loss can occur within the abdomen, chest, and retroperitoneum.[2] Ultrasound, in the emergency department, may be useful in determining the location of the blood loss.[2]