User:Mr. Ibrahem/Obstructive shock

Obstructive shock is a form of shock due to physical obstruction of the filling or emptying of the heart. This results in not enough blood flow to body tissues. Symptoms may include confusion, cool arms and legs, fast heart rate and weak pulses. Onset is generally very rapid. Complications may include multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Causes include pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, and atrial tumors. Obstructive shock presents similar to and is sometimes grouped together with cardiogenic shock. Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and examination. However, multiple forms of shock may present together.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Cardiac tamponade may be treated with pericardiocentesis; tension pneumothorax with needle decompression or chest tube; and pulmonary embolism with thrombolysis and anticoagulation, or a surgical embolectomy. Obstructive shock makes up less than 2% of cases of shock in the intensive care unit.