Neurogenic shock is a distributive type of shock resulting in low blood pressure, occasionally with a slowed heart rate, that is attributed to the disruption of the autonomic pathways within the spinal cord. It can occur after damage to the central nervous system, such as spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Low blood pressure occurs due to decreased systemic vascular resistance as a result of lacking sympathetic tone which in turn causes pools of blood staying within the extremities and not being redirected to the core body. The slowed heart rate results from unopposed vagal tone activity and has been found to be exacerbated by hypoxia and endobronchial suction[clarify]. Neurogenic shock can be a potentially devastating complication, leading to organ dysfunction and death if not promptly recognized and treated. It is not to be confused with spinal shock, which is not circulatory in nature.

Signs and symptoms

Instantaneous hypotension due to sudden, massive vasodilation

Warm, flushed skin due to vasodilation and inability to constrict blood vessels.

Priapism, also due to vasodilation

The patient will be unable to get tachycardic, and may become bradycardic

If the injury is below C5, the patient will exhibit diaphragmatic breathing due to loss of nervous control of the intercostal muscles (which are required for thoracic breathing).

If the injury is above C3, the patient will go into respiratory arrest immediately following the injury, due to loss of nervous control of the diaphragm.

Causes

Neurogenic shock can result from severe central nervous system damage (brain injury, cervical or high thoracic spinal cord). In more simple terms: the trauma causes a sudden loss of background sympathetic stimulation to the blood vessels. This causes them to relax (vasodilation)resulting in a sudden decrease in blood pressure (secondary to a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance).

Neurogenic shock results from damage to the spinal cord above the level of the 6th thoracic vertebra. It is found in about half of people who suffer spinal cord injury within the first 24 hours, and usually doesn't go away for one to three weeks.

Pathophysiology

Neurogenic shock is diagnosed based on a person's symptoms and blood pressure levels.

Neurogenic shock's presentation includes:

- warm and pink skin

- labored breathing

- low blood pressure

- dizziness

- anxiety

- history of trauma to head or upper spine.

- if the injury is to the head or neck, hoarseness or difficulty swallowing may occur.

Symptoms of neurogenic shock are differentiated from other forms of shock, by the lack of signs of the compensatory mechanisms triggered by the sympathetic nervous system on other forms of shock via the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Signs caused by these neurotransmitters are typically lacking in where shock is of neurogenic origin include: increased heart rate, faster breathing, and sweating, and adaptive vasoconstriction, which serves in other forms of shock to shunt blood away from the extremities and to the vital organs.

In neurogenic shock, the body loses its ability to activate the sympathetic nervous system so that only parasympathetic tone remains. The resulting loss of sympathetic tone, which plays a major role in other forms of shock is responsible for the unique and atypical features mentioned above.

Treatment

Dopamine (Intropin) is often used either alone or in combination with other inotropic agents.

Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone [ADH])

Certain vasopressors (ephedrine, norepinephrine). Phenylephrine may be used as a first line treatment, or secondarily in people who do not respond adequately to dopamine.

Atropine is administered for slowed heart rate.

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Journal of Brain Research