Shock and haemodynamic monitoring

Shock is a life-threatening clinical condition that arises when there is inadequate oxygen metabolism at a cellular level. It can occur in a wide range of clinical conditions and without prompt identification and management it has a high morbidity and mortality. Treatment focuses on both correcting the cause and managing the abnormal physiology associated with shock. Clinicians use a number of tools including clinical examination, biochemical markers and haemodynamic monitoring to both identify and treat shock. In this article we will review the normal physiology of oxygen delivery, the aetiology and pathophysiology of shock and how haemodynamic monitoring is used to manage patients presenting with shock.