Circulation

Assessment of:

  • cardiovascular compromise &
  • control of bleeding

Shock? - Skin pallor, tachycardia, altered consciousness

Look for any: External bleeding source or Internal hemorrhage?

Types of shock

Treatment: Circulation- Initial management

  • External haemorrhage- compression dressing ? tourniquet

  • IV access- two peripheral catheters (upper limb), rapid infusion

  • Other IV access: - Saphenous vein ‘cut down’,

  • central venous line
  • ECG monitoring

  • Blood samples- typing, x-match, haematology, biochem., pregnancy test (female), ABGs.

  • Initial resuscitation: - 1-2 L of Ringer’s lactate or NS (room temp.) - Packed red blood cells (PRBC), if no response - Foley’s catheter: urine output - 0.5 mL/kg/hour in adult

  • Search for source of blood loss: CXR, X-ray pelvis, FAST (focused abdominal sonography in trauma).

  • Fracture pelvis: pneumatic antishock garment or a bed sheet wrapped around the pelvis may be applied

  • Limb fractures- splint

  • Control bleeding :

    • Surgical interventions,
    • angioembolization,
    • pelvic stabilization.

Evaluation of fluid resuscitation

  • BP and pulse rate
  • Urine output (0.5ml/kg/hour)
  • Mental status and skin color/temperature
  • CVP
  • Acid/base status

Rapid responders - Management decisions

  • Hemodynamics return to normal after resuscitation
  • Hemodynamics remain stable even after reducing infusion to maintenance rate.
  • Probably bleeding has stopped spontaneously
  • Obeservation: Continued evaluation for source of bleeding
  • May still need surgery

Transient responders - Management decisions

  • Decompensate once fluid resuscitation is slowed down.
  • ? Ongoing bleeding or inadequate resuscitation.
  • Increase fluid resuscitation.
  • Blood transfusion (type specific or O negative)
  • Surgical intervention ??

Non-responders - Management decisions

  • Fail to respond to fluid and blood resuscitation.

  • Cause: Major blood loss (>40%) & ongoing loss

  • Intervention
    • Immediate surgical intervention or
    • ? Non-hemorrhagic shock (cardiogenic)
    • Echocardiography
    • CVP