Hypovolemic shock is a serious medical condition that occurs when the body loses a significant amount of fluids—typically blood—resulting in a decrease in intravascular volume.
Hypovolemic Shock
Hypovolemic shock is an imbalance that causes a drop in blood pressure and an insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to vital organs, which can lead to multi-organ failure and even death.
This condition is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention, as the body systems—such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems—attempt to compensate for the deficit through increased heart rate and vasoconstriction.
However, these strategies have limits, and if not corrected in time, the patient may enter an irreversible state.
Types of Shock
Hypovolemic shock is classified according to the type of fluid lost and the underlying cause. The main types of shock include:
- Hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock: caused by a significant loss of blood. In this type of shock, blood volume drops drastically, affecting the cardiovascular system’s ability to maintain proper perfusion.
- Non-hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock: in this case, the fluid loss is not blood but other essential bodily fluids. It may result from severe dehydration, extensive burns, or fluid accumulation in extracellular spaces. Regardless of the fluid type lost, the outcome is the same: a drop in intravascular volume that compromises perfusion.
- Mixed hypovolemic shock: hypovolemic shock may also result from combined causes, such as severe trauma causing both hemorrhage and dehydration simultaneously. This type of shock can be particularly difficult to manage due to the multifactorial nature of fluid loss.
Causes of Hypovolemic Shock
A variety of factors can trigger hypovolemic shock.
In hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock, causes may include major trauma such as traffic accidents or penetrating wounds that lead to massive bleeding; other examples are internal bleeding, surgical complications, or obstetric emergencies.
For non-hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock, several complications may be involved. Severe dehydration can result from significant fluid loss due to diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating.
Renal fluid losses due to osmotic diuresis, prolonged diuretic use, or diabetes insipidus are also causes of non-hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock.
Severe thermal injuries or burns covering large areas of the body can cause plasma and fluid loss through the damaged skin.
Pathological fluid accumulation, or third-spacing, may occur due to peritonitis, causing fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity, acute pancreatitis with significant exudation into surrounding tissues, or intestinal obstruction with major fluid loss into the intestinal lumen.
Complications of hypovolemic shock can be prevented with early identification of the causes and appropriate treatment.
At the Saludora Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes
MedlinePlus, Elsevier, NIH
