ABSTRACT Circulatory shock is a common fatal condition. Despite this, information on this syndrome in the current medical literature is fragmented and esoteric. Adherence to each basic element of care can have a profound impact on patient outcomes. Disturbances in pumping (cardiogenic), content/container relationship (hypovolemic and vasoplegic), or blockage in blood circulation (obstructive) can induce tissue hypoperfusion, causing hemodynamic shock. If not quickly reversed, hypoperfusion progresses to irreversible multi-organ failure. The course can be fatal even before reaching this stage […]

ABSTRACT The echocardiography has become a vital tool in the diagnosis of critically ill patients. The use of echocardiography by intensivists has been increasing since the 1990’s. This tool has become a common procedure for the cardiovascular assessment of critically ill patients, especially because it is non-invasive and can be applied in fast and guided manner at the bedside. Physicians with basic training in echocardiography, both from intensive care unit or emergency department, can assess the left ventricle function properly […]