Q: What does it mean by Cryptic Shock?



Answer:The term "cryptic shock" is used for patients with deceptively normal hemodynamic parameters, yet have high morbidity and mortality because of global ischemia with increased lactate blood level. It is also called "normotensive shock". Even "hypertensive shock" is described as in cardiogenic shock but with marked sympathetic system activation or during a hypertensive crisis due to pheochromocytoma with evidence of tissue hypoxia (high lactate blood level).