Shock: the essentials of recognition and management.

The main types of shock seen in clinical practice are discussed with emphasis on practical management considerations. The clinical features of the shock syndrome are described and the underlying cause is explained for each of the three types commonly encountered, namely hypovolemic, cardiac and septic shock. The essential information required for diagnosis and monitoring of therapy is detailed and appropriate therapy for each of the principal types of shock is discussed. The possible etiological factors, manifestations and therapy of the enigmatic respiratory distress syndrome are discussed. Some of the controversies on the drug therapy of shock are outlined and the suggestion is made that commonsense measures should prevail until reliable evidence to settle the disputes becomes available.