Which type of shock is related to the loss of vascular tone?

Distributive shock is the type of shock that is specifically associated with the loss of vascular tone. This condition occurs when the body's blood vessels become excessively dilated, leading to an inadequate distribution of blood flow and insufficient perfusion of tissues. In distributive shock, the peripheral vascular resistance decreases, which can occur due to various reasons, such as severe infections (septic shock), anaphylaxis, or spinal cord injuries (neurogenic shock).

The loss of vascular tone leads to a decrease in blood pressure and an inability of the cardiovascular system to maintain adequate blood flow to vital organs, resulting in cellular and organ dysfunction. Understanding disseminative shock and its mechanisms is crucial in emergency medical situations, as timely recognition and treatment—such as fluid resuscitation and vasopressors—are vital to restoring hemodynamic stability.

While other types of shock—such as cardiogenic shock, which is due to the heart's inability to pump effectively; obstructive shock, resulting from obstruction of blood flow; and neurogenic shock, characterized by disruption of sympathetic tone following spinal cord injury—are associated with different physiological mechanisms, they do not primarily involve the widespread loss of vascular tone in the same manner as distributive shock.