Neurogenic shock

Neurogenic shock is shock caused by the sudden loss of the autonomic nervous system signals to the smooth muscle in vessel walls. This can result from severe central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) damage. With the sudden loss of background sympathetic stimulation, the vessels suddenly relax resulting in a sudden decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and decreased blood pressure.

Additional recommended knowledge

Daily Visual Balance Check

Daily Sensitivity Test

Safe Weighing Range Ensures Accurate Results

Signs and symptoms:

• hypotension
• bradycardia
• warm, dry extremities
• peripheral vasodilation
• venous pooling
• Poikilothermia
• Priapism Due to PNS stimulation
• decreased cardiac output (with cervical or high thoracic injury)

Treatment of Neurogenic shock

• Large volumes of fluid may be needed to restore normal hemodynamics
• Vasopressors (Norepinephrine)
• Atropine (speeds up heart rate and Cardiac Output)

Example

A court in India found that a man was kneed in the groin and the resultant injury to his testicles caused neurogenic shock which killed him, and that this constituted murder rather than manslaughter as reported by the BBC.