Shock occurs when the supply of blood from the circulation is insufficient to meet the metabolic requirements of organs and tissues. Obstructive shock is caused by an obstruction to blood flow, preventing blood from returning to or from the right and/or left ventricle. Any mechanical impediment that prevents diastolic filling of the ventricles, leads to a significant fall in cardiac output. Not all view this as a separate category, considering obstructive causes under cardiogenic shock. In common with all types of shock, effective treatment relies on early recognition using NEWS to assess risk of clinical deterioration. If left untreated obstructive shock can quickly lead to cardiac arrest. Initial treatment will usually be supportive in nature, such as oxygen administration and monitoring, until expert help is available. Invasive supportive therapies such as intubation and mechanical ventilation may also be required necessitating transfer to a higher level of care.

Pulmonary embolism

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