Haemodynamic stability is a medical term used to label a stable blood flow. If a person ceases to be hemodynamically stable, it implies that he/she has a stable pumping heart and good circulation of blood. On the other hand, hemodynamic instability is defined as fluctuations in blood pressure which can lead to inadequate blood flow. This also happens when a dire requirement for physiological and mechanical support arises, so that the patient gets adequate cardiac input and output or blood pressure.
Following are some signs and symptoms of hemodynamic instability
Symptoms of breathlessness, pulmonary congestion, decreased urine output, hypotension, abnormal heart rate, alternative consciousness (restlessness, confusion) and chest pain.
Diagnosis
Clinical examination plays a part in the proper diagnosis of hemodynamic instability. A patient’s vital signs like respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure, urine output, organ perfusion, toe-temperature gradient, and capillary refill time are checked. Complications like hemorrhage, thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and arterial spasm may happen times.
Pulse is the first and foremost sign to indicate hemodynamic instability. “Alterations in pulse may provide a first indication that a patient is developing hemodynamic instability. While many factors may influence the pulse rate, including fever, exercise, medications, and thyroid hormone status, a high pulse rate is often a sign of high levels of endogenous catecholamines, blood loss or dehydration,” as per 2010-study Clinical Assessment of Hemodynamically Unstable Patients published in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Blood pressure and mean arterial pressure are suitable indicators for ascertaining fluctuations as adequate blood pressure stands significant to regulate blood flow to organs such as the brain and kidney.
Extreme body temperature may also indicate severe instability.