Emergency

Shock Index (SI)

Identifies early hypovolemic or hemorrhagic shock.

Parameters

bpm
mmHg

Shock Index (SI) Result

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FormulaShock Index = Heart Rate (bpm) / Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg)

Clinical Pearls

Very useful in trauma and postpartum hemorrhage. A normal SBP can be maintained by compensatory tachycardia during early hemorrhage; the Shock Index unmasks this occult shock.

Limitations

May be falsely lowered in patients on beta-blockers or with baseline bradycardia, or falsely elevated in patients with pain/anxiety-induced tachycardia without shock.