Obstructive shock is caused by a physical blockage in the heart or nearby blood vessels, leading to decreased blood flow and tissue death. It can be fatal without treatment, which involves clearing the blockage and addressing the underlying cause. Symptoms include abnormal chest sounds, extreme paleness, sweating, and cold extremities. Patients with chest injuries, clotting or cardiovascular disease, cancer, or bleeding disorders are at increased risk. It can also occur unexpectedly in apparently healthy patients.
Obstructive shock is a drop in blood flow caused by a physical blockage in the heart or nearby blood vessels. When blood distribution in the body decreases, the patient’s tissues can start to die because they are not getting oxygen and essential nutrients. This can quickly be fatal if the patient does not receive treatment to resolve the obstruction, which could include inserting a needle to stabilize the pressure within the chest in the case of tension pneumothorax. Some medical providers refer to this as cardiogenic shock because the origins of the problem often lie in the heart.
This may be a concern for patients with severe chest injuries, a history of clotting or cardiovascular disease. A potential cause of obstructive shock is a pulmonary embolism, in which a large blood clot blocks the pulmonary artery. Patients may also develop cardiac tamponade, in which fluid fills the sac surrounding the heart, or obstructive shock caused by a large tumor putting pressure on the heart and blood vessels. Immediate treatment involves clearing the blockage so that the patient starts getting blood again, while long-term care requires addressing the underlying cause.
In patients with this condition, the ventricles of the heart may have difficulty filling or emptying, causing the heart to stop beating. Without a regular beat, the heart cannot supply blood to the rest of the body and blood pressure drops. Healthcare professionals may notice symptoms such as abnormal chest sounds, extreme paleness, sweating, and cold extremities. This condition can be fatal within minutes because the blood supply is critical to the function of important organs such as the brain, which can only survive for a limited amount of time without oxygen.
Some people are at increased risk for obstructive shock. This includes patients on bed rest or those with significant motor disabilities that make it difficult to move, along with patients who have bleeding disorders, a history of arterial plaque and cancer. In cases where people have chest injuries from accidents, this may be considered a risk factor and first responders should closely monitor for breathing sounds and a steady heartbeat when performing an assessment. Signs of obstructive shock are treated quickly in hopes of stabilizing the patient long enough to reach a hospital for advanced medical care.
It is also possible to develop obstructive shock unexpectedly, without warning. Apparently healthy patients can experience a variety of conditions that interfere with heart function or block one of the major vessels around the heart and lungs. This is sometimes the result of a previous undiagnosed condition that was initially asymptomatic until exacerbated by a factor such as engaging in strenuous physical activity.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
