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Acute vascular insufficiency
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Acute vascular insufficiency is characterized by a sudden disruption of blood circulation as a result of a discrepancy between the volume of circulating blood and the capacity of the vascular bed. The development of low output syndrome in acute vascular insufficiency is associated with a decrease in venous return due to a sudden increase in the capacity of the vascular bed.
Depending on the extent of manifestations, acute vascular insufficiency is divided into systemic, with a decrease in systemic arterial pressure, and regional, with local disturbances in the blood supply to organs and tissues.
Due to the close functional unity of the cardiovascular system and the presence of compensatory changes in cardiac activity in any hemodynamic disturbances, the term "acute vascular insufficiency" is rather conditional. In most cases, the existing disturbances are more correctly called "cardiovascular insufficiency".
[ What causes acute vascular insufficiency?
In emergency medicine practice, acute vascular insufficiency is very common. It develops with anaphylaxis, infectious diseases, spinal and craniocerebral injuries, blood loss, burns, heart disease and other pathological conditions. All these diseases have in common a decrease in the volumetric blood flow rate, a decrease in the intensity of metabolism through the vascular walls due to a decrease in perfusion in the arterial system and capillaries.
Hemodynamic disturbances are based on a decrease in cardiac output due to a decrease in afterload, a decrease in peripheral resistance, and a decrease in circulating blood volume (relative and/or absolute). Impaired tissue and organ perfusion leads to the development of their hypoxia, disruption of energy supply, and metabolism.
Acute vascular insufficiency is expressed in two forms: fainting and collapse. The main difference between them is the presence or absence of disorders of consciousness. However, it is not always possible to differentiate these conditions and not always acute vascular insufficiency is accompanied by their manifestation. Loss of consciousness occurs only when the blood supply to the brain falls below a certain critical level, and clinically significant disorders of central hemodynamics - only with a significant decrease in cardiac output.