Question

How does systemic vasodilation cause distributive shock? How is it dangerous for the brain?

Answer 1

Vasodilation causes decrease in blood pressure and blood pressure is required for adequate tissue and cell perfusion to meet the demand of oxygen and nutrients. Systemic vasodilation reduces the blood pressure which causes distributive shock because there is decreased tissue perfusion due to which there is decreased blood to all the vital organs like brain, heart, kidney, liver, etc. This can happen because of sepsis, anaphylaxis, hepatic and adrenal insufficiency, systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Due to reduced blood flow to brain there is less oxygen containing blood to carry out the metabolic processes which leads to hypoxia. In brain it can cause ischemic stroke due to decrease in oxygen rich blood and the brain cells will begin to die.