Hypotension: Differential Diagnosis

hypotensionDdx.001

 

It’s an important differential. For emphasis, and in case you need to paste it somewhere, here it is again, in text form.

vasodilatory
sepsis
anaphylaxis
neurogenic

obstructive
tension pneumothorax
cardiac tamponade
pulmonary embolism
abdominal compartment syndrome (thanks GW)

cardiogenic
arrhythmia
ischemia
valvulopathy
myopathy

 

hypovolemic (hemorrhage)
chest
abdomen
retroperitoneum
GI tract
thigh
street

hypovolemic (not hemorrhage)
vomiting, diarrhea
inadequate fluid intake
diuresis, hyperglycemia
diaphoresis, hyperthermia
cirrhosis, pancreatitis, burn

 

toxicologic
calcium channel blocker
beta blocker
clonidine
digoxin
opiates
sedatives
valproic acid
TCA
phenothiazine
CO, CN-

metabolic
hypoadrenalism
hypo/hyperthyroidism

spurious
(equipment or technique failure)

A few other considerations:

auto-PEEP if intubated

hypocalcemia, acidemia