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Alternative names
Shock - hypovolemicDefinition Return to top
Hypovolemic shock is a particular form of shock in which the heart is unable to supply enough blood to the body. It is caused by blood loss or inadequate blood volume.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Loss of approximately one-fifth or more of the normal blood volume produces hypovolemic shock. The loss can be from any cause, including external bleeding (from cuts or injury), gastrointestinal tract bleeding, other internal bleeding, or from diminished blood volume resulting from excessive loss of other body fluids (such as can occur with diarrhea, vomiting, burns, and so on). In general, larger and more rapid blood volume losses result in more severe shock symptoms.
In another form of shock called cardiogenic shock, there is adequate blood volume, but the heart is unable to pump the blood effectively.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
An examination indicates the presence of shock. There is usually low blood pressure, rapid pulse, and body temperature may drop.
Treatment Return to top
Obtain professional medical care immediately! Limited measures to help include:Hospital treatment focuses on replacing blood and fluid volume. Treatment may also include determination of the cause of blood loss and control of bleeding to prevent recurrence of hypovolemic shock.
Intravenous fluids, which may include blood or blood products, are used to maintain volume in the circulatory system.
Dopamine, dobutamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and other medications may be required to increase blood pressure and cardiac output.
Other interventions that may be used to manage shock include:
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Hypovolemic shock is always a medical emergency, but there is wide variation in both symptoms and outcomes depending upon the amount of blood volume lost, the rate of loss, the underlying illness or injury causing the loss, and other factors.
In general, patients with milder degrees of shock tend to do better than those with more severe shock. However, in cases of severe hypovolemic shock, death is possible even with immediate medical attention. The elderly are at increased risk of having poor outcomes from shock.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Hypovolemic shock is a medical emergency! Call the local emergency number
(such as 911) or take the victim to the emergency room if symptoms indicate hypovolemic shock.
Prevention Return to top
Preventing shock is easier than trying to treat it once it happens. Prompt treatment of the underlying cause will reduce the risk of developing severe shock. Early first aid can help control shock.
Update Date: 7/8/2004 Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |