HYPOTENSION AND SHOCK: Working the Problem

This tutorial looks at the problems of Hypotension and Shock. I define the difference between the concepts – not all hypotensive patients are shocked and not all shocked patients are hypotensive. I then go through a system for exploring the hypotensive or shocked patients’ status to determine the underlying problem – illustrated by a series of clinical scenarios.

Blood Pressure and How We Measure it

One of the most common physiologic and pathologic abnormalities that we get called for is dysfunctional blood pressure: hypotension and hypertension. This tutorial looks at the question – “What is Blood Pressure” the components and its regulation. I then go on to discuss arterial pressure monitoring, invasive (via arterial lines) and non invasive (using oscillometers) and the strengths and weaknesses of both.