Which type of shock is characterized by vasodilation and relative hypovolemia?

Septic shock is characterized by vasodilation and relative hypovolemia due to the systemic inflammatory response triggered by an infection. In septic shock, pathogens release toxins that lead to widespread inflammation and dilatation of blood vessels, which causes a decrease in vascular resistance. This vasodilation results in a relative hypovolemic state because, even if the absolute blood volume remains unchanged, the effective circulating volume is reduced, making it difficult for the cardiovascular system to maintain adequate perfusion to vital organs.

Furthermore, during septic shock, the body also produces a variety of mediators such as cytokines that further exacerbate vasodilation, leading to a significant drop in blood pressure and worsening tissue perfusion. The combination of infection, inflammatory response, and vasodilation establishes septic shock as a distinct type of shock that differs from other forms, such as cardiogenic shock, which involves issues with the heart’s ability to pump effectively, or hypovolemic shock, which is directly related to a decrease in blood volume without the prominent role of vasodilation. In anaphylactic shock, while there might also be vasodilation, it is primarily triggered by an allergic reaction rather than an infection.