Hypotension is assessed and managed during the resuscitation phase of poisoning management. If detected later in the clinical course, the clinician returns to the resuscitation phase and specifically addresses priorities in the usual order (initially airway, breathing and circulation).
Hypotension is common in poisoned patients. It is usually mild, secondary to peripheral vasodilation and responsive to basic fluid resuscitation. However, poisoning secondary to cardiotropic medications is frequently associated with refractory hypotension of multifactorial origin and mortality is much higher. Similarly, hypotension that is refractory to basic fluid resuscitation heralds a much worse outcome unless perfusion is rapidly restored.
References
- International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary and Emergency Cardiovascular Care- Part 10.2: Toxicology in ECC. Circulation 2005; 112(24 Supplement I):126-132.
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