2nd August 2023

Clinical Features

Clinical features of shock are usually dependent on the primary pathophysiology or underlying cause. Patients who present due to low flow often have features such as cold peripheries, absent or weak peripheral pulses and evidence of low cardiac output. This can include features such as a narrowed pulse pressure.

Conversely, patients who present with shock from vasodilatation tend to have warm peripheries, bounding pulses and often features of high cardiac output. This can include features such as hypotension with wide pulse pressure, raised temperature and general distress.