[Pre-clinical management of shock patients]

The preclinical diagnosis of shock is still based on the patient's history, the physical examination, the injury pattern and a few hemodynamic parameters available in the emergency set-up. The clinical picture is characterised by hypotension and tachycardia, tachypnoe and dyspnoea as well as cerebral impairment. Results from recent clinical trials indicate, that a adapted and specific therapeutic approach for the various shock forms is necessary. In case of traumatic hypovolemic-hemorrhagic shock it is of particular relevance if penetrating trauma and/or uncontrolled bleeding exists. Under these conditions an immediate definite surgical treatment is required ("scoop and run") and a moderate hypotension should be tolerated. ("treat and run"). Fluid substitution and therapy with catecholamines should be used conservatively. In all other forms of shock the treatment approach can and should be more aggressive in order to improve microvascular perfusion as early as possible. Besides adequate fluid resuscitation in a combination of crystalloid and colloid solutions catecholamines and-under specific circumstances-also vasopressin should be used. Of utmost importance in the pre-clinical management of patients in shock is the optimal selection of the centre that the patient is referred to in order to establish the fastest and best possible definite treatment for the patient.