[Hypotensive crisis]

The physiology of arterial blood pressure regulation is briefly reviewed and the differential diagnosis of arterial hypotension discussed. The shock syndrome consists of four different forms: cardiogenic, obstructive, hypovolemic, and distributive shock. The etiology of anaphylaxis is mentioned and its therapy outlined. Patients with Addison's disease or severe hypothyroidism are hypovolemic, but peripheral resistance is also altered. Therapy consists of hormone replacement. The cytokines play a major role in the pathogenesis of septic shock. At present there are no therapeutic tools available to modulate their detrimental effects clinically.