What is a sign of neurogenic shock?

Neurogenic shock is a type of distributive shock that occurs due to loss of sympathetic tone, typically following a spinal cord injury. It is characterized by a variety of clinical signs, one of which is bradycardia. In neurogenic shock, the normal compensatory response to a drop in blood pressure, which typically includes increased heart rate due to sympathetic nervous system activation, is lost. The result is often a decreased heart rate (bradycardia) alongside hypotension due to vasodilation and impaired venous return.

Bradycardia can be particularly notable in neurogenic shock because the vagus nerve (part of the parasympathetic nervous system) is left unopposed due to the loss of sympathetic tone from the spinal injury. This contrasts sharply with other forms of shock, where tachycardia is typically observed as a compensatory mechanism to maintain perfusion.

In summary, the presence of bradycardia in neurogenic shock highlights the unique pathophysiological mechanism at play, differentiating it from other types of shock that usually involve increased heart rates as a compensatory response to low blood pressure.