Medical expert of the article
New publications
Classification of shock
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
There are many classifications of shock, according to the leading launch factor, the following types can be distinguished:
- hypovolemic;
- cardiogenic;
- obstructive;
- distributive (septic, anaphylactic, neurogenic).
Any particular patient with shock can have pathogenetic signs of several types of shock. For example, a child with polytrauma may initially suffer from hypovolemic shock caused by bleeding, and subsequently endotoxemia may develop. Septic, anaphylactic, neurogenic and other distribution shocks are accompanied by hypovolemia, which, however, is relative as a result of arterial and venous vasodilation, increased permeability of capillaries, and migration of albumins into interstitium.
It is accepted to distinguish three stages of shock:
- compensated;
- hypotensive (decompensated);
- irreversible.
With pathophysiological positions, shock states, regardless of the etiologic factor, can be divided into two categories:
- with reduced cardiac output and impaired total peripheral tissue perfusion;
- with normal or increased cardiac output and impaired distribution of peripheral blood flow. To distinguish these groups is possible only in the event that hypovolemia is eliminated and adequate preload is achieved.