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Circulatory Shock: Definition, Assessment, and Management

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Resuscitation

Abstract

Circulatory shock is a common and dangerous complication in critically ill patients. Shock can be characterized as hypovolemic, cardiogenic, obstructive, or distributive according to the primary underlying etiology. Determination of the presence, type, and severity of shock requires combined assessment of clinical, biochemical and hemodynamic indices. Rapid and adequate resuscitation, in terms of fluids, oxygen administration, and vasoactive agents, is needed to restore tissue oxygenation and maximize outcomes. Treatment of the underlying cause is an important aspect of management. Available resuscitation targets remain imperfect at present, but the ability to visualize the microcirculation may lead to the development of new targets in the near future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070, Brussels, Belgium

    Jean-Louis Vincent

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  1. Jean-Louis Vincent
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Correspondence to Jean-Louis Vincent .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. UCO di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy

    Antonino Gullo

  2. Dept. Cardiovascular research, Istituto Mario Negri, Milano, Milano, Italy

    Giuseppe Ristagno

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Vincent, JL. (2014). Circulatory Shock: Definition, Assessment, and Management. In: Gullo, A., Ristagno, G. (eds) Resuscitation. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5507-0_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5507-0_21

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-5506-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-5507-0

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