[Drug therapy of shock]

Shock is to define by clinical symptoms, measurable haemodynamic and metabolic changes, clotting failure and disorders of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance. It is essential to remove hypovolemia, acidosis, cardiovascular failure, pulmonary and renal insufficiency. Quite a lot of proved and controversial pharmacological substances are placed at physician's disposal. However, the mortality of cardiogenic shock and gram-negative septic shock is more than 80% respectively 30%, often caused by shock lung or irreversible injury to the kidneys. Shock due to depletion of extracellular fluid, poisoning and acute pancreatitis require specific treatment.